Challenging Poetry

Pioneer Road Show

when I was six,
they dressed me
in a green dress with
a pinafore, matching
my sisters, purple and pink,
and baby brother in
a blue dress longer
than he was tall,
and we followed Mama,
in her long dress and apron,
around the stage while she
followed Daddy, with a funny beard
and a booming voice
and tall black hat,
who preached fire and brimstone
until we felt like laughing.
Method acting at its most
fundamental. We were
our parents children,
playing our parents children
only with our hands still
and seen but not heard
(except for brother,
who slept in Mama's arms)
until the end, when we
curtsy'd with our skirts
spread then raced away,
chattering all the way home.

April 23—Poem based on a play (It’s Shakespeare’s birthday, but any play!)