You are still,
almost part of the chair,
before a drawn curtain
and wondering, “Is there not an act three?”
while those around are standing,
offering applause,
putting on coats,
gathering purses,
hats,
scarves,
excitedly chattering about
what a great show it was.
Over time, the theatre clears
of friends and neighbours,
dear ones,
lovers, dreams,
but you remain,
for what must be an eternity,
pondering.
Have you not
understood the joke?
or learned the lesson?
Are you expecting
cleansing fire
when only houselights struggle to life?
Robert On The Air 