In Search of (Art/Advocacy Cuisine and Travels)

One Act Play: THE EDGE (I have used the lyrics to Lennon's "Mother" without permission) Actors : Eleanor : bedridden voice in house, the Mother Charles : father works full time, an Engineer, at local Oil Refinery, wears grey suit with pocket protector, pen in place, white shirt, black shoes, grey tie, hair slicked back, dirty light brown, thinning widow's peaks Anne : eldest child, 15 years old, wears hand made yellow checked gingham dress. Josie : 5 year old plays Beatles music, only the voice and music is heard. Walter : 1 year old baby cries in crib, when held is wrapped in blanket. STAGE SETTING:  Circular Stage. Front to a one story small rambler, near the Mississippi River. Functioning front door to a stucco house, open framed rooms show mother in hospital bed, crib in the same room, a living room with a phonograph, 2 steps up to the door, back drop behind the front of the building is dim, sound of river nearby. Sound : Beatles Music. Joh...

VICTORIA HELD HER CLOSE Victoria held her close, a Swallowtail Its iridescent blue had marked it female She saw it jitter, falter and refuse to fly And so created safety, a soft net, sprays of water and green leaves. A green sheen spread across the spring “She can’t drink here,” said Victoria. “It’s not safe, like it was the year before.” The family spent summers at the park. This year they brought spring water with them “Because it’s too hot,” she said, as untapped oil spread silently. The family circled round the campfire at the lake. “Maybe we should stay home next year.” “The river’s almost gone, mud for a Raku kiln.” Only a trickle from the spring remained Victoria’s tears reflected sunset for the one she held. The heat, a risk for forest fires, one spark could set it off. It faltered, started and then it stayed as Victoria held her close, a Swallowtail.