Home

The Magician's Assistant

No likes yet ♦
Published by hilary west on May 9, 2009 - 16:41
from the ABC set Flowers for the Dead

She was a Magician's Assistant,
Zoe, of white doves, decks of cards,
Spinner on a wheel.

She wore harlequin suits,
Incarnadine and xanthos bright.
She was sequined, spangled, lightly plumed.

Tonight was her big night.
The Palladium's velvet curtains
Would open on Zoe and the Great Tartini.

A fortune had been spent on a showy, new dress.
That afternoon, she had relaxed at Kew,
Psyching herself for the performance.

As she applied ruby lipstick and violet eye shadow,
She was tense and nervous, but still excited.
In the park, a London bag-lady mooched about.

Elsie was delighted to find a red dress.
Back at the Palladium, there was a yell, a scream.
But Elsie, the bag-lady, had never looked so good.
Curtain up at park bench !.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

Jasper_Milvain | May 9, 2009 - 20:55

Wow. A poem with a twist? Or short story in verse? Either way I think it's pretty nifty, and quite clever, too.

The sort of thing Roald Dahl might make a short story out of. I'm half tempted to have a go myself.

Thanks for this. It doesn't say a great deal but the scene really makes you think about the characters, and I like that a lot.

Thanks.
JM.

hilary west | May 9, 2009 - 20:58

I am pleased you liked it Jasper. Thanks for commenting . I've modified it a bit in the second verse to improve it.

SundaysChild | May 9, 2009 - 21:59

A very interesting read.
Good luck with the competition.

hilary west | May 10, 2009 - 01:53

Thanks SundaysChild. It is nice to get such positive responses. If you are entering Good Luck.

chuck | May 10, 2009 - 03:46

Very nice hilary. I particularly like the rehearsal at Kew.

hilary west | May 10, 2009 - 21:17

Thanks for commenting, chuck !

jennifer | May 22, 2009 - 13:53

Very funny twist, excellent stuff!

J x

whiskey | June 26, 2009 - 12:55

I love it! Congrats on doing so well in the comp. :-)

hilary west | June 26, 2009 - 20:52

Thanks Whiskey. I have since got a cherry - Thanks to Tony. Thanks too, to Trevor Dolby for his encouraging words.

jennifer | June 26, 2009 - 21:20

Well done for doing so well in the competition, this piece is excellent and the praise it has received is highly deserved!

J x