October 2020 -- A whole Heap of HORROR -- No7

 

                                              

 original artwork by Walter Jack Savage 

with whom I have had the privilege to collaborate many times in Postcard Poems and Prose and whose work I great admire.

I have two of his paintings on my diningroom wall. This is a poem inspired by this particular painting.  Thanks for allowing me to use this image, Jack. I have to thank Shakespeare for the title of course!

All the World’s a Stage.

Of linen, cotton, silk and tulle

of taffeta, muslin and wool,

in every shade, for every part

the costume demon plied his art.

And actors came from far flung places

some wearing masks and others faces.

Some came for love and some for horror

wanting to dress for joy or sorrow,

gazing at costumes with envious eyes,

the drip of blood, the thin disguise,

the murder weapon cleverly hidden,

the priest, the whore, the guest unbidden.

Into each thread for every role

the master wove his heart and soul.

So, often is the price of fame

a curse by any other name.

Copyright: © 2019 Oonah V Joslin