Monday, October 23, 2023

An Electric Performance and The Show Always Goes On

Near Millbrook Ontario there is an outdoor theatre called 4th Line Theater. It exists on a farm and has since 1992.They put on original performances that reflect the history of the region. These performance developed scripts are based on local stories. It really is an eclectic setting where the stage is the ground between barn and the drive shed with the bleachers facing one of the barns. There are entrances and exits from many, many different directions. Sometimes they will cross the field. Other times it will be on the second story of the barn. It really keeps you on your toes as a theater goer. And sometimes, when thunderstorms threaten they continue until the rain prevents them from being heard.

Here are two poems about the same event. It’s funny how different they are, yet the same as they describe the same event..

An Electric Performance

Opening night and the play had started

Outside, natural setting,

Air fresh and blowing

Lightning strikes in the distance

While thunder rumbled on and on

Droning over the dialogue

Yet not muting

The vocal ruminations

That were delivered with eloquence

The winds whip trees

And calm just as quickly

Accenting the plot rather deliciously

Adding punctuation to the turmoil

And then the rain came

Gently falling

While the actors carried on

Giving electric performances

Not disturbed by nature’s tantrum

Near the end the skies opened fully

Drenching all who still sat

Gripped with rapture at the depth

Of the acting

Until lightening cracked right over head

Sending all for cover

And finally ending a brilliant performance

Short of the true ending

In truth the evening was truly special

by Bill Ferguson

All Rights Reserved

The Show Always Goes On

An opening night performance is special

It is a treat for watching eyes

Tonight the audience hopes the play goes on

Under threatening skies

The warning passes lightly

As the storm clouds fill the air

Somehow it doesn’t seem real

Somehow it doesn’t seem fair

So many people sitting in the rain

Watching the wind blow the trees away

Arguing for it to go on

Arguing for it to be postponed

Still the actors stay within their roles

Voices growing louder to be heard

The clouds billow and bluster

Filling up with water and spitting it out

At first a gentle mist, then avenging downpour

Thunder provides it’s curious applause

Lightning makes us remember

That nature has all its own laws

In the end it almost ended

But also the storm did not allow it to be so

by Bill Ferguson

All Rights Reserved

Divine Dissatisfaction

I read an article not too long ago that remind us that who we were when we were younger, or quite young in some cases, is not who we are now. We have grown and changed and seen much more of life. And yes, while all of our decisions are based on our past experiences we shouldn't be defined by what happened so long ago. We have moved on and are different people now than we were, even a couple of months ago.

Divine Dissatisfaction

Why did I say that?

What did I do that?

What was I thinking?

I digress into my imperfect past

Trying to editorialize a moment lost in time

Oh the things my younger self never knew

About arranging,

Rearranging

When I was developing my thoughts

And ideas

Into coherent threads

Among the daily ritual of living

So much to learn

Still

My imperfections last forever

Capturing

Who I was

And who I’ve become

Is acceptance of my younger self

Even an option?

Punctuation

What can one say about punctuation? It is the bane of society. Some people are demanding that it be used properly. Some feel it is to be used at their need. Others abandon it fully. It really can change meaning which is why I use it sparingly. I would rather you determine what you need rather than my saying what it is. It can be more fun that way. Or not depending on what you expect.

Punctuation

While necessary

In many cases

Takes away

The fun

Of determining

Meaning

For

Yourself

by Bill Ferguson

All Rights Reserved

What?

Sometimes experimentation is a good way to stay creative. I started out with a couple of w words and from there it grew to something more and took this form. Punctuation has its limitations and rewards. It all depends on what one is looking for.

What?

Watching waifs wonder when

Wishing women wistfully whittle

Wicked ones whisk wildly

Without worrying wedding wrath

Wireless wiretaps working witness

Windswept wasteland without weed whacking

Whistling wildfires wrangle woodpiles

When working writers weaken

by Bill Ferguson

All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

High Window

The sky was blue

When you came to call

Shadows lurking

You walked down the hall

Hearts open

Words had their way

Eyes shining

Glad you're here to stay

High window

Open to the sky

High window

Urging us to try

High window

What was meant to be

High window

Capturing you and me

The song you sang

Reached into my heart

Quickly fixed

What was torn apart

Forced a smile

Where none had been before

I could never

Have loved you more

Love Is Worth

Quiet spaces

Under blue skies

Giant milkweed

Floating butterflies

Burbling waters

Painted on your smile

Won’t you sit with me

Visit for a while

There is love

There is faith

There is meaning

Time and place

There is heaven

There is earth

There is friendship

That’s what love is worth

Shady forest

Silent murmurs

Whispering willows

Chipmunks sit in wonder

Laughter in summer

Written on the wind

Then you take my hand

Friendship wins again

If it’s love that’s the goal

There’s a battle for my soul

Friendship wins every time

That’s what I see in my mind

That is my ultimate goal

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Two Steps Forward

This is always the question until it resolves itself.

Two Steps Forward

The silence of the forest

The thunder of the falls

A star filled night

Sunrise calls

A word by the fire

A phrase that was begot

A kiss that is stolen

Fireworks gone off

and then

there was

the look in your eyes

Fiery passion

You could not disguise

Two steps forward

one step back

no formal game plan

no threat of attack

yet here we are

talking

sharing

undoubtedly caring

When does two steps forward

Mean no turning back?

Pretty Much

Enough said!

Pretty Much

Conspiratorial,

Envious,

Arbitrary,

Jealous,

Petty,

Boring,

That pretty much says it all

The Fly

September turns house flies into vicious attack beasts or so it seems. It is like they know the end is coming and they need to create larva so that next year you can be attacked again. One afternoon my neck survived a rather biting session with one of these determined beasts.

The Fly

They tuck and they dive

With indiscriminate passion

Again and again

In their dying hours

Leaving virus and bacteria

And other disgusting things

On your skin

In their effort

To deploy offspring

To fulfill their daily

Assignments

Of annoying you.

Time

Time has become a recurring theme in my writing. From a play and a song written about Time Goes On to other it is a word that appears frequently. Many moons ago the following two poems came about in a short period and gave me pause for thought.

Time #1

Time my friend

like waves rushing over still rocks

etches its enamoured memories

across forgotten faces

tracing for all to see

that, where minds rarely wander

heeding all calls to cover up

and eluding that which we hope to see

Time,

an unforgiving enemy

whose chief talent is patience

in a never ending sea of uncertainty

whose lifestyle has never changed

In the face of new challenges

whose boundaries have been tested

and stand the test of time

Time,

the ultimate creator

who knows no greed

whose crimes are faceless

whose final goals are always met

Time,

the beginning

and the end

the father

the son

and the holy ghost

Time

Time #2

Time Has Come

Time has passed

and time is on its way

Time is what you wanted

Time should come to stay

Time

and Time

and time again

You wished for things you couldn’t control

If only time had shown you

Where to take your stroll