Stage Kiss Poem by Laurence Overmire

The spot created a golden moon
On black-dropped canvas
Glittering tinfoil stars dispersed the light
The dashing hero in doublet and tights
His belly reigned in a corset
Knelt slowly on the satin-looking plastic bedsheets
Leaned his tobacco lips
Down
To the waiting embrace
Of his cleverly-stuffed virgin-matron bride
Their mouths clamping together
For the obligatory five-count
Moving rhythmically for full dramatic effect.

The audience watched in rapture
Tears cascading down their cheeks.
As the curtain fell, the leading lady
Smiled endearingly at her handsome co-star
And whispered to her handmaiden through the clenched
Corner of her teeth,
“Remind me never to work with this
Pompous blowhard ever again.”


(Previously published in Kookamonga Square, July 2000)