you can't explain the way
things want to turn out
it won't help to turn them
repeatedly about
all we can do now
is move with the turns
and if we're really up to it
we live, we love, we learn
douglas brent smith
forgotten melody
mirrors on the fallen snow
reflecting where you'd like to go
and what you'd be if you could know
the narrative that makes it so
windows in the sky with eyes
exposing soporific lies
and passionless dramatic sighs
whispering goodbye
there's no fortune bright enough to make you
and there's no moonbeam light enough to take you
or any hammer strong enough to break you
unless you start it all alone
doors that lead to empty rooms
welcoming as wood tombs
promising the end of gloom
not all what you'd assume
douglas brent smith 1974/2023
missing some
as most ends will see
all ends will be
as the darkness covers you
the nightfall sets you free
free when you'e glistening
clenched as i'm listening
to your many timbres toning
replies to our inquiries
coherent co-developed
carefully enveloped
touched with out finger prints
missing annotations
douglas brent smith
squeeze
i just remembered you
and then us and then then and
then as quick it was gone
what were you saying?
douglas brent smith 29 January 2023
dry
the rain doesn't touch me
i'm too intent on dreaming
will you come along?
douglas brent smith 9 December 1973
Two
there is so much breathing
to share
live, create, feel, hold, release . . .
wanting so much to touch
this small soulful love
who already touched first
1973
Miniature
i became aware of
the poetry of existance
and of the artistry of
her voice
of her thin, gentle fingers and
the honesty of her eyes
1973
Wordless
when a friendship
grows deeper
and the desire for sharing
each and every moment
lasts
behind the level of acquaintance
the need to touch
grows stronger
tastefully (if allowed) space
to hold (carefully) emotions
silently
when words are not enough
. . . because
. . . words are never enough . . .
12/73
Give Me Your Brain
Note: I once wrote a play called "The Great Brain Robbery." This poem is from that period of time, in 1973, when I thought some things were much funnier than I do now. And, the basic premise of the play, that we are unconsciously surrendering our brains, still holds up.
Give Me Your Brain
you're certainly a silly one
afraid to give a brain
the whole world's grabbing for it
release it while you're sane
we need a brain like yours to use
in service to our cause
it won't help you once you're crazy
filled with riddles and with flaws
you're no Einstein nor a Curie
just a normal filled with fury
you're no Jesus why not please us
give that brain away
such a silly greedy one
clutching to your head
all your brain cells added up
won't matter when you're dead
give me your brain
it's not so much
a sibling cerebral skunk crutch
let it go now in this exchange
give me oh give me hey give me your brain
sensible
if a circle is
really a series of
triangles
how can we ever
expect to
make any sense
out of any
thing at all?
3 January 2023
Bottle Rocket
"Is that what I think it is?"
(she slams the oven door and grabs the bottle rocket out of the boys hand. She throws it toward the window but it bounces off the screen and lands amid the other fireworks.)
"Is that cherry pie?"
(she opens the oven and grabs the pie. It's hot and she nearly drops it but manages to set it on the floor.)
"Yes. That was a close one."
(a chain reaction of fire work sparklers light up the kitchen. Small popping sounds and Gilles. She grabs the boys hand and leads him in a gallop out of the kitchen. They both narrowly miss stepping in the pie on the way out. As soon as they are gone the whole kitchen explodes.)
"Shhhhh."
(She returns with a fire extinguisher and gets the exploding fireworks out. It's a mess. She picks up the miraculously in tact pie and carries it out. Wisps of smoke float gently around the kitchen. Pause.)
"Delicious."
-- douglas brent smith
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Context:
Written from a scene prompt, page 337 from "The Playwright's Handbook" by Stuart Spencer.
Dealing with it
We just have to deal with it. It's not new. It's not going to change. The people who are younger than you feel the need to rebel against you. The people who are older than you care so much about their own generation that yours seems insignificant. It doesn't make any of it true, just present.
We might as well deal with it by staying calm, mindful, and attentive to our own approach to multiple-generations. Eventually, if you live long enough, you get to be every generation cliche available.
-- doug smith
Raw Emotions
Rough drafts lead to raw emotions.
Raw emotions lead to truth.
Truth leads to change.
-- doug smith
Funny Props
This picture (above) is no doubt the result of a stalking retail site (you know who) sorting thru my purchases (and views) and deciding that yes, Doug you need this: this marvelous pair of glasses.
I don't. Not at the moment. But I'll keep it in mind if a role requiring that lands in my lap.
It reminds me of other funny props that I've worked with: mouse ears, beaver ears, a bell, a wine bottle, real food (beef stew from a can, yum), and that's not even mentioning the many props I've used with children's theater when I toured with Child's Play.
What were your most unusual tools of the trade? Did you master them? Did they bring you fully into your role and make you seem more alive?
Funny props are more than funny. They facilitate fun.
-- doug smith
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