POEM - Woman, Where Are You?: A Play in Three Acts

Act 1

A phone is ringing

The caller ID tells the story

The tension mounts

Will it be answered?

Will it ever stop ringing?

Will the machine pick up?

Are the messages full?

A look of consternation crosses the woman’s face

           

            If I don’t pick it up

            The infernal thing

            Will always ring

            Never stopping

            Never conceding

            But if I pick it up

            The voice will always ring

            Never stopping

            Never conceding

            Dear mother

            Please just go away

Act 2

The sun has come out

It is a clear and cool day

The air in the country is clean and refreshing

As told by the look on the woman’s face

The sun baths her in intermittently

As the leaves of the tree blow this way then that

Speckled light dancing across her serene face

I could stay here all day

There is just enough breeze

There is just enough cool

I have just enough time

To really settle in

Maybe if I sit still enough

I’ll just become a part of the scenery

Roots will shoot out of me

Dig into the ground

And support me in a perfect restful pose

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE

GET OFF THEIR LAZY BUTTS

AND GET THAT STUPID PHONE?!

Act 3

A deserted city street

The early morning sun has yet to appear

A steamy store window

Offers a blurred Impressionist view

Of the few patrons inside

The woman enters and breathes deep

In thru the nostrils

Taking in the greasy, sweet air

Shelves of pastries fill her vision

As an old donut man approaches

Apple fritter

Make it a double

Hot cocoa

Extra chocolate

Don’t be stingy with whipped cream

You got me, Mister?