Angela Gardner

beyond the footlights

Dream a darkness beyond the footlights
and even if you cannot stand
to read our eyes for applause or censure
at least we are here

 

shuffling and shifting as time opens out
into the not yet knowing
and at eye-level we are wrapt in the words
that are your and our only clothing

 

Meaning  both seen and unseen
brushes against our crowding mouths
jostling for an opening, for the wounded beauty
and the cruelty of entry