After the Curtain Closes

After the Curtain Closes

After so many years, the bruises and scars still show
and where they don’t, there is the lingering deep seeded hurt,
felt in the early morning
upon awakening.

There were the good times.
When life was beaten at its own game.
Wry little smile, pleasant memories,
joys which lingered well into the evening.

Now as the curtain is prepared,
the play nearly concluded,
there is unremitting pain,
suffering disproportionate
to the goodness of the life now ending -
not warranted.

I could wish that life would bless this person.
Let him go, treat him gracefully and gently,
permit him to go quietly into the night.
But who am I to command such things?

It is left only for me to whisper, “well done”,
and applaud with other friends
after the curtain closes.

Ray Brown

Consider purchasing my book of poems, “I Have His Letters Still” – Poetry of Everyday Life ($11.95). Available on Amazon at
http://tinyurl.com/RayBrownAmazon
or purchase an autographed copy at
http://poet-ray-brown.com