18 Comments
User's avatar
Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thanks for sharing @PancakeSushi 😊

PancakeSushi's avatar

You're very welcome Mark

AsukaHotaru's avatar

The curtains listening before they rise is such a good creepyyy little thought..! Good job with this one, Sensei~!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Hehe - it’s the hush you have to watch out for. I used to think it was the people … :)

Thanks~!

B Philippe's avatar

Totally enchanted by this.

“but to let the light

touch your shoulders

and remind the stage

how briefly

we shine.”’~ ❤️

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you B. 😊

Livvyinthelife's avatar

You NEVER fail me with your words. <3 life feels possible, even in the rain. <3

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Wow. Thank you Livvy!

Life feels possible, even in the rain - could be a new poem idea if you want ? :)))

Livvyinthelife's avatar

GO FOR IT. <3

Adrião Pereira da Cunha's avatar

The poem captures that uncanny feeling of stepping into an abandoned place that somehow still remembers everything. I love how the stage isn’t empty at all, but quietly waiting, as if the past is still breathing behind the curtains. The detail about dust knowing where to fall is beautifully haunting. The whole theatre feels alive, not with ghosts, but with memory that hasn’t quite settled. The balconies leaning in as if trying to hold on to the echo of people is such a tender image. The silence in the poem isn’t cold it feels warm, patient, almost protective. What really struck me was the moment the building seems to lean closer, letting the light touch the visitor’s shoulders. It’s a gentle reminder that even brief moments of presence matter. The poem leaves you with a soft, lingering sense of being watched over.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much for joining me in the theatre to watch the history of the place unfolding like a show of memories almost lost but not forgottten.

These places are still alive, with the singing and presence of so many people on stage, behind the scenes and in the stalls.

A wonderful reflection Adrião. Thank you!

Petra's avatar

Breathtaking! And the last line hit hard but not in an unkind way. <3

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Petra. Glad the last line landed well 😊

MoTy's avatar

Only just realised the prompt's been reappearing today. Each author, a different take - so fun to discover. Yours feels so gentle. The ambience, felt throughout “patience settling slowly into wood and velvet." Perfecto.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you MoTy!

There are so many good takes on this prompt!

Alicia's avatar

These are the types of things I wonder about in old places. Great piece!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thanks! So much memory in a space and such a good photo!

Vianne Armour's avatar

👌👌 fantastic