Sunday, July 31, 2011

Standing O

GismondaSarah Bernhardt by Alphonse Mucha
Standing O

Directed towards proscenium,
at curtain call, like xenium*…
the crowd goes wild; a fierce tableau
of fan-filled cheers: the Standing O.

Performers bow with practiced grace
while pleasure shows upon each face.
The audience, they now bestow
upon the cast, a Standing O.

It was, I swear, performance art
of highest level in each part.
The accolade for such a show?
Applause and then some...Standing O.

So on my feet, I wish I were
thus able to myself transfer
my spirit from my seat and row.
My fantasy?  That Standing O.

###

Notes:  The poetic form is Kyrielle.  The poem was inspired by today's prompt of 'Standing Ovation', graciously provided for by Sunday Scribblings

'Xenium' means a gift or present given to a stranger or a guest.

Alphonse Mucha is one of my all-time favorite artists, and as I think I may have mentioned in an earlier post, I absolutely adore Art Nouveau and the artists from La Belle Epoque.  

As a child, because I had a tendency to be rather dramatic on occasion (okay - more than just occasionally!) my grandmother often teased me [lovingly] by calling me Sarah Heartburn.  I took it as a huge compliment.


8 comments:

  1. I pretend the same thing when I am standing at a show.

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  2. Love it... especially the second stanza.

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  3. Beautiful poem and especially the last verse when the dream emerges.

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  4. Love the standing O Great end

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  5. A standing O..great..wouldn't it be nice to be the recipient..a virtual applause to you..and thank you for the new words..Jae

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  6. Ha ha, my mom and I used to say "Sarah Heartburn," too. This was great, especially the ending, being seated and realizing it's your dream. Go for it! Get into a small community theatre. We are doing "Godspell Junior," adults and kids, and I know we'll get one this Saturday night, LOL, because it's the kids they will stand for! Amy
    http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/outstanding-what-sun-scribblings/

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  7. To Amy...thanks! I actually did do community and regional theatre back in my younger and crazier days. And guess what? I was in a production of Godspell, too. (And yes - we really did get a standing o, too.)

    Good luck with your Godspell Jr. ☼

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