The eternal scriptwriter

has already written the lines

and knows that at some point

you will do your best to change them,

add perhaps a colon or an emphasis

somewhere into the laid out plan,

your interactions with the other players,

grease painted, mask of tears

and joy painstakingly rehearsed

in the scriptwriter’s mind but

with only a single chance

to get your cue right, remember

that cue, one shot or else

you fall behind and then your lines

fall behind and the eternal scriptwriter

knows then you are ready for comedy.

For in the mishap of one stuttered line

to the audience, one dropped letter

or pratfall, the scriptwriter

reveals his true genius for slapstick

and makes you the star

of farce below, comedy gold

an Oscar for all occasions.

 

Ian D. Hall 2016