Voiced // CONTEST SUBMISSION: SWEET (Student Writing Weekend in the Eastern Townships, Bishop's University)

Today I submitted a 140-character story for a contest.  Contestants are students of the Eastern Townships, and more specifically at Bishop's University.

It's a difficult guideline ... 140 characters for a story is restrictive and challenging.

At the bottom of the page --

We sit and see helplessly, unheard and silenced; actors impress. A twist in a suit, a dress, the viewers’ faces insist for more, for less.

Sound familiar? That's because it has remnants of one of my previously published poems.

Find "Red Curtains Close" here.

Voiced // POEM: Red Curtains Close by Thomas Rivet

Red Curtains Close
Decades have made me

know what shows show 

and what plays play 

and which are true, 

and which are not.

Yes; few make it, 

the rest rot.

As long grass is mown, 

A stage is loan 

to actors; 

First act and second, onto third - 

Viewers sit helpless, 

in silence, 

unheard; actors impress.

Sliced by the graceful twist

in that suit, that dress, 

Their faces insist

for more,

for less.

Inspired, they then 

love and wove and swoon

soon

after red curtains close.

THOMAS RIVET