Jeanene M. Hall-Durham
"The Healing Wordsmith"
Queens Bleed Too: No Rhyme of Reason is filled with poems from my heart.
During the creating of this book myself and my two youngest daughters were going through a very tough time in our lives. There were days when I just wanted to give up, but the Most High would drop a word in my heart or my daughters would say something to encourage me to keep going. I needed a way to channel the myriad of emotions I was dealing with and stay focused.
The words I write are my way of cleansing and healing; I call it "bleeding on paper". My way of healing the wounds life and love have given.
My prayer is that something I wrote will be a blessing to you. Ase'
Excerpt from Queens Bleed Too: No Rhyme or Reason...
The Play
We have come to the last scene of this untitled play.
The orchestra has hit a crescendo and the stage lights are dimming.
The actors have portrayed lovers at war with their supporters' personality.
Each scene leading to this...the end.
And as the curtain lowers, the final bow, then...darkness with no applause.
Act one was acted out through sheer nerves and excitement.
The lines easy, the plot simple, the score is upbeat and the set is bright.
No lead in this scene; each thespian has equal shine.
Act two, the stage lights flicker and the score lowers to a somewhat ominous humming as each role player struggles to be heard.
The third and final scene challenges the two leads in ways they never wanted.
The script is edgy, brash and tiresome.
As exhaustion and insurmountable frustration looms over the cast, the director is silent; allowing the stars of this real-life portrayal, creative emancipation.
The boom is lowered as to not miss a word.
The orchestras' instruments lay in their laps idle, listening for the pin to drop.
There is a pause in the midst of this tumultuous, theatrical melee.
One of the thespians has run out of lines and cannot keep up with the supporting actors’ highs and lows, twists and turns.
The script has been edited and altered without rehearsal, leaving the supporting actor lost and forced to create a convoluted ad-lib.
No more words to be said.
If this were a rehearsal you would hear, "Cut!" and the clap of the scene marker.
But this is opening night.
No more 'run throughs'.
The dress rehearsals of the past convinced the actors they were ready for this reenactment.
The supporting actors for each lead different and the chemistry seemed to be present.
But once the curtain was lifted and the first scene run through,
The spotlights exposed each character and the talent of the cast.
As the reviews roll in it is obvious that the auditions were shallow and externally focused.
The true characters were hidden behind the hopes of landing the role.
But the script revealed the actors’ abilities and the spotlights exposed them as the amateurs they are.
This was the final show.
The last time to perfect the lines.
No more rehearsals, dressed or not.
The curtain has lowered and the reviews, good? Not!
This thespian has given her final curtsy and caught the single rose thrown on the stage.
As she exits stage left, she looks back at the place where the spotlight is left empty.
A tear streaks her cheek as she realizes her passion for this stage has lifted and her desire to act in this type of play is no more..