The School Play (Re-post)

by Isobel

Friday 22nd July 2011 11:58 am (first posted Wednesday 20th July 2011 5:58 pm)

How I hate the school play

In crammed airless hall

Two hours of my life stolen

To watch other children

Whisper and mumble their way through

Indecipherable plot…

Doting mothers sit next to adoring dads

Who take photos and remind me

That I forgot my camera

And am

A most deficient parent

Exchange knowing looks of pride

Whilst I watch

A foisted corner to their triangle

Because everyone

So nice

But each man plays a part…

I smile, laugh, applaud another’s child

Nod congratulation to relevant parents

Curse the teacher

Who chose a play

Where every child gets a part

In Bugsy Malone

A play full of gangsters and flappers

Mychild is a tree

No singing and dancing there then

After what seems like an age

On you trundle with three others

Not a unique tree

A jolly green midget

Stiff armed and legged

Holding aloft your twigs

Amid a sea of faces

Your eyes, like magnets

Home, lock, connect

Find mine

Shine

And I am glad

Not to be behind a lens

For we have our own

Photosynthesis

A hint of a smile

Plays around your lips

Cos trees really don’t smile

There is no-one

But me and you in the room

And it’s all worth while

Quite simply

The best tree I’ve ever seen

A star is born.

Comments

Isobel

Fri 22nd Jul 2011 12:00

Yes - Anthony picked me up on lens the first time round. I changed it but forgot to amend it on the version I lifted from word. Have just done it now!

Perhaps 'this triangle' would have been better. I guess they were a straight line till I joined them. x

Isobel

Fri 22nd Jul 2011 11:57

Thank you all - yes this does stir memories of all those school plays - and we've all watched or been in them!

The idea I was trying to convey with those lines Ray was that, being on my own, I had to muscle in on someone else's happy family and that out of kindness/ civility I was being included. 'But every man plays his part..' belongs really to the lines that follow it. I am playing along by pretending to be interested in their child, when in fact I only give a hoot for my own - human nature I'm afraid...

There is an accepted form at all these school plays - it involves congratulating other parents on the achievements of their children - no matter how unfair you think it is that your own prodigy didn't get to shine more.

Most school plays are indeciperable to me. Lots of the words are swallowed cos they are children, afer all. Add to that the fact that my mind wanders...

John Embley

Fri 22nd Jul 2011 11:07

This is such a great poem, Isobel!
Every time I read it, another memory jumps out -- and so true! Similar things happened for all 3 of our sproglets years ago!
Nuthin' changes ...
I got to be a candle, I recall, and forgot my words, nearly 60 years ago -- doesn't time fly?

Ray Miller

Fri 22nd Jul 2011 10:43

You're right, Isobel, I like this one better.In fact, it's a poem that gets better as it goes along.
Not sure Bugsy Malone could be described as having an indecipherable plot.
I didn't understand this bit:
A foisted corner to their triangle
Because everyone
Is
So nice
But each man plays a part…

was this written during your cryptic period?
The last verse is great, I think, but then I'm an old softie. It's lens, though, not lense.

Francine

Thu 21st Jul 2011 17:35

Nothing else can compare - I have already told you how much I LOVE
this one - so happy to read it again : )

xxx

Laura Taylor

Thu 21st Jul 2011 10:37

Aww, I always loved the school plays. I was a bit embarrassing though - always started snivelling during nativity plays. They get me every time.

I once played the Virgin Mary you know, when I was 5. No lines, but Joseph smelled of lovely posh soap. I remember that clearly.

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The School Play (Re-post)

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