Light Work

D a v i d C o g g e r

Light Work

The lights in the theater gently dimmed for the show,
The last few minutes trickled by, like the melting snow.
Whilst a few straggling patrons quickly were seated,
A hush fell like lovers, who felt they’d been cheated.
In the soft fall of darkness, all lighting was torn,
And a certain expectation in the audience was born.
Still the curtains remained down, and the atmosphere rose,
Though no murmur whispered, there was a rustle in clothes.
Then just as the silent tempo, threatened to shout,
A strong theater beam saw a shadow step out.
The front of the stage was now lit with a light,
And a voice welcomed all to a fabulous night.
The voice had a face and a beaming great smile,
And his black and white suit was the best in it’s style.
With a flourish of movement, the M.C. drew them all in,
And transfixed every person, with a word and a grin.
He was there for the show, he came out in between acts,
He raised laughs and applause with a quip and some facts.
"The first act" he said, in a fatherly way,
"Is the finest of entertainment known in it’s day.
So please won’t you welcome, applaud if you must,
For the singers, the dancers and the comics you trust!"
With that the light dimmed and the M.C. departed.
And the music enchanted, as the show truly started.
The curtains were raised and the music grew loud,
Whilst the artists on stage stood tall and stood proud.
From the onslaught of variety, through each act and performer,
The audience's response grew more vocal and warmer.
As the curtain descended to help end each trial,
The M.C. stepped out and entertained for a while.
He encouraged the audience to stand in applause,
For the acting performers, who worked hard for their cause.
And, if the performance was lacking that day,
He would cheer and clap harder, to dispel the dismay.
His flourish and style took him on through each section,
Whilst the audience would laugh, or cheer in reaction.
He was a lively M.C. with a move and a line,
And all in the theater loved him in time.
He had his own act, it ran throughout the whole show,
But he made each performance something to know.
"The next act" he’d say, after doing his thing,
"Is this" or, "it’s that" then he’d step back to the wing.
He never said much, and he avoided the light,
With an ingenius line, he could make it sound right.
He made people smile, he made people grin,
To hear people laughing was his favourite thing.
He was a very clever fellow, and could read every mood,
And he stimulated thought, which he knew was so good.

Now the show ran through it’s paces, it was running right on time,
The people in the theater were being entertained by mime.
And in the last few movements, as the last act pushed the plot,
The lights inside the building, began to fade a lot.
As the act then finally ended and the artist took his bow,
The curtain came down slowly and the M.C. mopped his brow.
He stepped out from the wings and cheered the performer off,
But everyone inside the theater didn’t want the show to stop.
Before the M.C. could say a word, the single light blew out,
And many of the patrons began to scream and shout.
"Enough of that" the M.C. said, within his darkened shroud,
And this was just enough, to quieten the fearful crowd.
"If you think, that this is it, you’ve another thought to come.
For the show is never over till the final act is done,
We’d like to thank you all, just now, for your patronage to the arts,
But while you’re waiting patiently, I wonder at your hearts!"
Now this was strange for him to say, for one could never tell
Who was there inside this theater for his lines to sell.
"I wonder if it pleases you, to try and raise the lights!"
But the darkness stayed upon them as though in darkest nights.
And as the clamour of the crowd began to rise and swell.
The M.C. quickly caught the mood, by calling, "it’s just as well.
For I want you all to sit real still" the M.C. calmed their fears,
"And raise your hands into the air and wipe away your tears!"
Then as the audience obeyed his words, the lights began to flicker,
Whilst life and joy raced to each heart reflecting the light much quicker.
But as the audience clapped their hands the lights just blinked on out.
Until the M.C. spoke once more, but here he had to shout!
"Raise your hands dear friends of mine and hold them in the air.
And if you hold them way up high then light will soon appear!"
So the audience did as they were told and raised their hands and arms.
And this is to the credit of the M.C.’s personal charms.
The lights came on within a flash and the people looked to stare,
For the whole theater had everyone with their arms up in the air.
And as they looked in wonder, many dropped their arms real low,
But the lights began to flicker, which gave off an eerie glow.
So quickly those who’d lowered their arms raised them up real high,
And the lights grew stronger with each arm and the people gave a sigh.
Then in puzzled wonder they looked towards the front.
They had never seen the like of it and sat in wonderment.
But sensing that their arms would tire, the smiling M.C. spoke,
Before he did, he clapped his hands and all the lights awoke.
At this the audience clapped and cheered and stood together as one.
The M.C. gave a modest bow, for the ‘finale’ he had done.
"I thank you for your patronage friends, but it’s time for you to go!"
Remember this, many hands make light work

I hope you’ve enjoyed the show!"