we got him! we got him! applause now urged

the audience evokes a tremulous sigh

a tenuous dirge from the pit emerged

to soliloquy's last cry

why hast thou forsaken me

in producing this dastardly scene

and shelved my finale of words so sublime

far grander than your curtain call has been

granted my fate drew many curtains aloft

before digging me into the ground

and I executed so many leading roles

and cut short so often a play that toured round

so that I could feature above all henceforth

imbibing gratituously day by day

any apple pie that crumbled forth

in trade that surruptitiously came my way

from a leading man alas to an expendable hand

vibrant red carpet have I nevertheless made

for a dynasty with longsighted destiny planned

who in the name of freedom now have it carefully laid

copyright 2003 bob tatnell 2003

australia's most pied poet