Director's Words | Teen Ink

Director's Words

October 27, 2011
By Elizasparrow PLATINUM, Midvale, Utah
Elizasparrow PLATINUM, Midvale, Utah
31 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;And you have your choices, <br /> And these are what make man great, <br /> His ladder to the stars.&rdquo; <br /> ~Mumford &amp; Sons


Her heart quivers in her chest.
Butterflies soar around her stomach,
Gaining altitude as they go.
She is given a hurried last check- and touch-up on her costume and makeup, and is led away.

At the doorway, with one hand on the railing, ready to ascend, she casts a nervous glance back, receiving the thumbs-ups and grins of her fellows.
Plastering on a brave smile, she walks up the steps.
Her friends below sag as they recognize the smile as a feeble one.

She waits in darkness, her heart thudding ever louder in her ears.
The orchestra strikes a pitch. Time is almost up.
Lines race through her mind, blurring as they go.
The hurried whispers of the director fall past her ears and to the ground like stones, where they remain untouched.
A pat on the back and she's alone.

The butterflies transform into humming birds and gather in her throat, whistling to the beat of the drum that is her heart.
Opening music floats to her ears and she straightens, keeping her seldomely needed brave face on steadfastly, but barely.

The black lightens, a whoosh reaches her ears, and a few hesitantly jaunty steps carry her to a circle of light.

Her heart drowns out all other sounds, before the opening notes of her song fight through.
The words of her director penetrate the haze around her.
The shield of light surrounds her, and the hummingbirds retreat as her heart slows.
Lines stop racing, instead coming smoothly and easily into her brain.

She opens her mouth.

She lets go of herself.

Her lungs fill with air, and...

As her director told her, the character does the singing.


The author's comments:
Ever had the lead in a play, been totally nervous, then gotten fabulous advice from someone that made it so you didn't faint? Enough said.

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This article has 5 comments.


on Apr. 14 2012 at 4:29 pm
Elizasparrow PLATINUM, Midvale, Utah
31 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;And you have your choices, <br /> And these are what make man great, <br /> His ladder to the stars.&rdquo; <br /> ~Mumford &amp; Sons

You're both far too nice. :)

on Apr. 14 2012 at 4:23 pm
Elizasparrow PLATINUM, Midvale, Utah
31 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;And you have your choices, <br /> And these are what make man great, <br /> His ladder to the stars.&rdquo; <br /> ~Mumford &amp; Sons

Oh, not at all... :)

on Feb. 11 2012 at 12:28 pm
dramagurl13 GOLD, West Jordan, Utah
13 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
There are too many phrases that don&#039;t make sense! Such as- &quot;Today has been a long day.&quot; Hello? Each day is 24 hrs, last time I checked. And &quot;No news is good news.&quot; Umm... what if they were kidnapped? Or they were murdered? Stupid English language.

I must agree, Sherlock.

on Feb. 11 2012 at 12:27 pm
dramagurl13 GOLD, West Jordan, Utah
13 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
There are too many phrases that don&#039;t make sense! Such as- &quot;Today has been a long day.&quot; Hello? Each day is 24 hrs, last time I checked. And &quot;No news is good news.&quot; Umm... what if they were kidnapped? Or they were murdered? Stupid English language.

Excellent work! This poem wouldn't have anything to do with seussical, would it?

on Nov. 8 2011 at 6:54 pm
NinjaSherlock SILVER, Sandy, Utah
6 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Cats are like tattoos. First you get one, then another, and another, and another, and another. At first you love them, then you hate them and have to get rid of them with lasers.&quot;

Love it Elizasparrow!  I found my new favorite poet!