Perth Words… exploring possibilities.

Dear Jan,
 
I’m going to pretend you are still here, think
about you in the 1st person - chat to you.
Chat to the Jan I knew who triumphed, didn’t
let anything get her down and did it her way.
 
Early June, you phoned to tell me
your 18-month news and I cried.
On the 11th June I surprised you
with Messenger for a video chat.
 
A totally new experience for you,
but perfect because we could see
each other, watch our expressions,
exchange smiles although miles apart.
 
Your bravery on show, (not wanting
to wallow) we reminisced together.
Once we got past the tears, we laughed
remembering our theatre adventures.
 
I’ve spent the last two days going through
photos and videos reliving our shared
pleasure in performance; you on stage,
me behind the curtain… egging you on.
 
Always up for a laugh, you charmed us.
Often loud but sometimes sincerely quiet.
Watching, absorbing words, actions
under floodlight glare and stage props.
 
The thrill of sharing, being accepted,
a place to shine, applause for effort.
You earned it all and more.  From your
first appearance in ‘Crooked Courtship’,
 
that slinky silver number, a sexy character
just one side of the complex you, revealed
on stage giving us all a glimpse of talent
untapped which grew with each script.
 
I enjoyed dressing you as an Indian Squaw.
Beautiful you, full of fun – that cheeky grin
embracing with gusto, the chance to become
someone else in the pantomime ‘A Prairie Tale’.
 
By the time I directed ‘Monday to Friday’,
I had my pick of actors.  Although dialogue heavy,
the character of ‘Monday’ was perfect; you
delivered each line with relish.  Remember Angela? 
 
You came to me half an hour before Curtain Up
to say you’d shared a bottle of champagne 
celebrating her 1st performance (to settle
her nerves).  It turned out not such a good idea.

I rushed to the Green Room, stood in front
of Angela– she looked me straight in the eye
and asked if I could help put her lipstick on,
she couldn’t seem to find her mouth. Panic!
 
Thinking back, it was you who had the bright idea
of using real Port on stage, for authenticity.
In rehearsal, we agreed no one would actually
drink from their glasses, just pretend…

Angela entered Stage Left, marched straight
to the bar, pouring one drink after another -
downing it while the others on stage tried not
to react and you delivered lines without fault.
 
Somehow the show went off without a hitch
All performances heralded as ‘Superb!  Best yet!
A fantastic production! Each actor Oscar material!’
Phew… we all sighed and opened another bottle.
 
I didn’t know that phone call would be our last
but I could see the tired eyes, hair not perfect
as usual – not prepared for your ‘close-up’
and didn’t want to be greedy, so said ‘Bye’.
 
It’s the 11th today and I’m writing to remember you…
to tell others although we didn’t see each other often,
we were friends.  I could always rely on you being
the authentic you, saying it like it was, a treasured
 
support for my writing, taking the time to read
and comment honestly.  I will miss that - and you. 
You will always, always be in my fondest memories
grinning from ear to ear, eager for the next adventure.
 
Love you,
Sue x