Better edit #6 ( spelling) print ready
Posted: April 21st, 2016, 11:03 am
Note: I have been through spelling many times , my spell check bogs sdown, if you wish to spell check befor printing please do , If not ,this will do well for a stage sheet I believe, I still will be reading it through and amending it as I go but I believe it is a healthy dog right now, thank you for your help.
1>22
This is to invite any one who wishes add suggestions for the stage production of this poem. Starting as of just now I am starting this work and will post it as it is developed. Please feel free to copy and print in a spirit of love.
A darkened stage, Elevated so the readers are looking down at the listeners, A dream of sorts is unfolding. the first speaker is the moderator and main speaker, it remains so through out the production.This is sort of an angel if you will
a keeper of all things of warfare. the memories, and sorrow, as it is to toxic to store in the deeper memories. This sprit has had enough of our warfare he has arrived to shake the world awake.
Note: the audience will listen more as looking up will get tiresome and they will look down and listen.there will be enough staging to make it interesting when they are looking up and to be filmed. If your production has a different design that is fine, these are going to be my suggestions.
This play is not intended as entertainment. it is long and difficult, it is in its entirety and done with depth and relentless. I would like for this production to be relentless as war leaving no escape from the message. This will not be easy, rock the world please.
I am also working on the music (much is needed.) voodoo the video I set free to do as you see fit
The first speaker can be male or female I would cast a powerful ghost of shifting genders, This would be two differnt actors, the male the dark side of the spirit, accusing and chastising anger, the female side would be conciliatory and sympathetic, more in play toward the last third and strong at the ending having become the spirit in the painting.( Peace will be born of woman's power and tenacity of conviction).
I have an Idea for a hooded figure with a hologram of the reader projected into the darkened hood on a darkened stage the hood would be animated but empty by and the hologram projected from inside to add to the dream. This is beyond my resources but some one could do it.
Otherwise a led string of lights inside the hood lighting the face with good make up would be interesting. A reader who really gets into the part will only need shadows and simple light, let the words do the work first, then add energy, but let the energy of the production come from the words.
Note : Have the l.e.d.lights modulated by the speakers voice. You could have the primary colors modulated by frequency (tunable) so that the spoken word modulates the lighting of the person as they speak. This could be used as whole stage response to sound, the music could be represented in light, we have computers. make it.
Note: I will refer to it as a play now, but it is first a poem.
As you read the play you will see it changes directly into new characters. This would be simple fading of the lights to the new actor actor perhaps stepping into the place of the speaker, However this is where creativity can really be employed if desired. music lead in, costumes, back field video, background music of the period the speaker is in. I have allowed you to know a time frame of the scene, a sailor in world war two, or a civil war solider, many stories,
each one coming in its own time and clarity, I see the faces and hear the words..Bring this to the audience.
The difficulty will be to hold the dream state.The speakers are remembering out loud. If there is two much visual the action will shift from the mind to the stage, the staging must be clever and seductive to keep the words front and center and build pictures in the mind, Consider it a radio play, this is the way I would do the first run, just read it. This work will grow slowly if allowed to mature by working in a first story and finding the voice.
The differnt experiences have differnt voices. If a part is desired by some one I would listen well to their interpretation of it, I am very excited to hear it begin.
First narration establishing tone and authority :
This is as the lights come up from a darkened stage the speaker is near the forward edge of the stage, this is a commanding speech an energy level is established by pauses as the actor finds a deep anger that can be maintained.
Spirit speaking:
1
So I wonder what is the task this time ?
who am I ?
You will see
your world is of dreams rambling
realities comprised of wishes and curses
a thousand thousand killers -all painted up
dandy dancers in religion
philosopher's power slaves
I am an animal man-creature
now shape shifting into your world
awake
You will not know me
You will not see
or understand,
just a stranger
another mental case
you will say
a ragged child of sand and wind
I can clearly see the lies you believe
so many explanations told as truth to the child
who grows
not knowing the questions are not answered
and instead carrying a bag of lies and fairy tail
awake, yes I am awake
I tried to stay at rest
but once too often I was disturbed
I had to shed my sleep and my skin
all of you have awakened me
all of you with your noise
clambering, ranting, spitting hate drizzle
I am
who are you mad men underlings ?those
dancing, howling, midnight dark dreamers, suns of hate
dark riders in the wind of sorrow ?
flinging into the eyes of men
I am awake and you will stand down in the edge of a dream
a reality breaths
the shifting ripples along the skin and in the blood
the eyes change
new knowledge comes into the mind of the phoenix
the sun and the wind feed me
the sparrow and the hawk teach me
the oak tree is my strength
I am rock and earth
blood and tears
I am here now among you
quickly I travel in electronic arteries
in the spider web around the world
unannounced
unrequested
I'll gather your young about me
this is now
I am awake
now I will splinter and sing
to you this new song of long ages made
come children listen:
first one war
then another
and another
after these some
many more
all the same sad story
nothing learned.
Now the stage grows dark and the first story teller enters and the spirt exits back.
Lights come up on an early morning light the stage is predominately in dark blue perhaps an early morning
(The sky is beyond black or blue)
This would be an American soldier in uniformed a blue light, dark blue shifting shades
perhaps a dawn ever so pale in the back, There would be new gear he could be fingering some bullets, loading a rifle, perhaps a silent helicopter in a video in the back ground, the actor starts speaking looking at the air.
2
Tomorrow I leave
the stars cascade across my vision
the radio makes talk over in the Humvee
the air is cold
ageless sands shift under an ageless sky
my boots are new
the equipment is new
everything smells plastic elastic Velcro fresh
the ammo is heavy
neat and clean
I am just arrived alive
but tomorrow afternoon I will leave
beyond repair
mother was relieved
it will do you good to join
( a pause and change of expression)
unfolding before my eyes the heavy afternoon heat gives way
to heat beyond the edge of reason
complete silent pressure
no sound.
Note: The light comes up quick bright as the explosion
as he finishes speaking this as intense as can be achieved.
Then the actor steps out of the light as thunder rolls.
The spirit returns :The stage is dark except for the spirit speaking addressing the audience
3
Don't tell me I don't know
I am awake
I am here to haunt you
a dead child
cold blue child
dead destroyed baby girl
shrapnel blue deep pits above her eyes
a hole in her face and an arm gone ragged
(Pause)
don't tell me any thing
I am awake
this isn't an idea
the fires of hell
are kept lit by you fools
you know who you are
you did not count on me
I will stop you
now
and gather into a force
of truth
afraid beyond words
young and dead
no lover's arms to return to
only you standing at a marble headstone
I will not leave you alone
The light on the spirit fades to deep red then out, leaving the actor in the dark.
Thinking about this, the spirit may stay standing in the dark as a presence this may be better than leaving the stage. Amend first exit if desired.
Place Vietnam
Background music; sixties classic (hay whats that sound look whats going down)
solder with long hair, bandana peace symbol on helmet dark circles under eyes dirty
stoned and weary
Light is pale yellow casting a jaundice pallor to the skin, maybe smoking a cigarette lighting up before speaking, again to the air,( retain the dream)
Actor speaking:shakes his head as if remembering we have came on him telling the story it just starts right in with out preamble.
4
The chopper settled in to the gooks nest
high as a kite
the air was bath water
the smell was gasoline and swamp
it was fun
incoming was buzzing
but the tie sticks and beer took the afternoon
just hit the ground in the raging dust
empty the clip
run stumble and fly into the shade
the world is pounding,
one big heart beat
still the chopper sings its farewell
a deep stillness settles in
quietly the men die
bleeding a rivulet into the soft soil
the rice field simmers in the sun
the heat settles in
so stoned I don't care
its just this stupid war
I want to go home, but that's a million dreams away
Mike died yesterday
a week in evak,
they knew he would and he knew it was up
Joey is insane
Dave is slipping into a killer
(a long sigh, the actor looks down at the ground and slowly shakes his head as the light fades to the sound of a helicopter leaving and the music plays softly, let the actor stay dimly lit a little longer than intuitive to allow the emotion to settle in the listeners.
fade to dark spirit fades in.
5
I'll ramble if I want to, you can't stop me
You don't have any clue as to who I am
do you?
no
the father land needed me..
(breaks off statement)
The spirit fades dark.
A solder in a German uniform ww2 illuminated in a greenish sickly light
a floor spot light would work well, march music playing?
Starts speaking:
6
To kill the Jews
they came so smartly to my door this morning
shiny and at attention
all scrubbed clean
full of the mission, you will come with us
I knew to go
the air was cold, the day was clear
a little snow was left in the hedges and about the buildings of town
your name, yes we know who you are
fill out this form
sit in this chair
wait
here is your identification, don't lose it
you will be shot if you cant produce it
you are now in the glory of the father land
I wanted only my books and the sweet girl at the bakery store
my microscope and violin
no idea of war was mine
now I stand naked in the cold water
hollow gray home of a thousand pale boys
given to this order of insanity.
Light fades actor exits.
Spirit fades in.
Note: I am feeling my way into these transitions, it will take some experiments to see how to do this to achieve a dream like transition, the whole of it is in the spirits memory a good theater person may well see abetter way,
Spirit speaking*sad* controlled anger )
7
Again and again
wave your flags wave them until the dead can see you
wave them all
all you flag wavers,
wave like you never waved before
you wont stop me
I am fire
I am the fire of truth
not to hidden by righteousness or holiness
you can't do that when it is just a plain old destroying truth
stupidity is truth
cruelty is truth
foolish following is truth
I burn you to the bone,
I destroy you in your bed
I will hunt you down and make you see me
I am awake you have disturbed me,
I am in a deep cosmic rage
you will wonder where I came from
I am yours
you made me and left me for dead, forgotten
sleeping in the gas chambers and killing fields
you keep dreaming this nightmare over and over
I am awake
quickly follow me
if you can
or you will not see me enter the great halls
where the powerful men yammer and spit
spending lives like currency
you will not see me casting dark confusion over them with the spider net
to watch them spin their own destruction
ever more ridicule
turning on each other in a harvest of their own blood
turned to ash
their clothes will turn to rags as I leave
the Apache dance in the fire light
as the Crow
as the Choctaw
something has gone terribly wrong
they know
but still, now the arrow is for the heart of brothers
not the deer or elk
I bend and cut the scalp
rip it back
I hold it high and feel the warm blood run down my arm
our eyes have gone wild, like wolves at the kill
if my hand touches you
you will be without understanding
you will see yourself as the bomber and the destroyed
your mouth will speak of destruction
but it will always be yours
I will find you
you who think you are so wise
as to be the judge and destroyer
one by one you will come with me
it is all a lie
it is noise and confusion
inherited foolishness, well kept and passed down
father to son
now you will see me
you will not hide from me I will hold the flame on your mind
until the fire catches
can you not see who I am
spirit fades.
The light comes up ( a pale early dawn, drifting fog? )on a confederate soldier in uniform old county music of the period ( Ken Burns style ) the actor is young.
8
Sweet among the hills of Tennessee
home
the gray rough new uniform
the new packets of powder and shot,
the brass shiny caps
a rainy mist, the gray lines
the cavalry call
the answering volley
the first
so it begins
I am now turning around and around looking,
everything moves so slowly
the man in blue twists and shatters before my eyes
settling like a rag across a fallen tree
all scarlet and shiny
I am a thunder,
my ears hear a drum beat ever slower
I am on fire
the world is turning red and silent,
I look down at the ring on my finger
you will hear me now
you will hear my bride weep
you will smell the honeysuckle vine I fell into
it takes me home outside the window
I sing in the vines
a chill runs through and through the woman looking out
seeing the gray clouds scuttle by
I close my eyes
put it down
put down the page
, put away the pen
The light fades on the soldier
The light comes back up on the spirit it is quiet for a few moments.
then in almost a whisper.
9
Quiet the rage
try to still the tongue and silence the song I bring
I am alive
deep in the truth I reside
I show you the lies
I will not be gone
back to the romance of the fife and drum, bagpipe and song
dances at the academy
in smart new uniforms
all the shiny fancy aircraft.
The spirit looks up as if looking at something
light fades
Vietnamese woman in farm village close a flickering exploding yellow and red light roar of fire sound crackling. ( recorded napalm burning if possible). Again remembering, speaking to the air looking at a vision.
10
The napalm scudded like burning vomit across the village
the babe sizzled like bacon
popping and spitting as the fire consumed it
I am transfixed
still frozen
I am as stone
my child burns and I melt into the fire
the fire leaps up my long hair and kisses my cheek
the cow staggers by outside on fire
I can hear grandmother singing
I feel the long rain
coming now
Light fads in orange and red then blood red then dark. Dark stage, sound of fire only for a long moment crackling. (this is an important moment in the play
the Idea is to go a stage deeper now into the subconcenes.
The light comes up on the spirit the face is in shadow the hooded costume has a fire like light projected on it side to side, try to keep face in shadow. Kind of a mocking friendly speech.
11
I am the fire
you should know me better
you play on your island testing ground
ah curious children
you get your revenge on the yellow people
( tone changes ) sinister
I'll take your world from you if you are not careful
(pause )
I am fire
I am awake
Then light fades spirit out
English solider world war one: period uniform helmet, brown lighting, Pale dead looking skin, big hole in forehead.period music ?( cannon fire steady rumble)
12
How did we get here in France ?
hell Henry and I volunteered down at the station that's how we got here
Cindy kissed me goodbye
that is all I really wanted,
was for her to kiss me good by
and look at me that way.she did as she said she would wait for me
I am cold now
quiet and dead,
covered up in the bottom of the trench
slipped back down into the mud
smacked in the forehead,
it felt like a hornet sting and a hard punch between the eyes
everything went white and shiny for a moment
a deep dark starry night sky spinning all around
a beautiful point of singing light
the most radiant ring of light
the gate
but I wanted to come home to Cindy !
I cant be here yet !
Light comes up from brown to sky blue then intense spot on actor bright before snapping out.
The spirit fades in dimly, speaks softly almost sing song.
13
The men in line do not understand that they also all must die
standing in line to sign the papers and give their lives for
the answer to the question they do not ask.
(pause)
why
Spirit fades out
Fade in : Man in overalls in country setting ( photo), yellow soft light on actor, comfortable country voice. these settings can be on a dark back drop cloth,
Note:Try to not have strong transitions in lighting, dark theater dark screen photos projected from back and shows through the screen) again remembering. perhaps turn to the side looking at projection.
14
Searing tearing pain
the whole side of my face blown away
I'm staring at you in disbelief
with one eye hanging out,
for a moment I can see it
I am home
I am yours
I walk the lonely clay road in Alabama
looking for my home place in the summer sun
I see a an old oak tree,
the dewberries are ripe
and now the big circle of oaks
the lighter knot gate post
but no gate,
only the chimney stands from the old home place
I suppose the Philco radio is gone as well?
how is this
I was standing on the foredeck watching the incoming zeros
looking for my recon man when something went terribly wrong
for a second I understood torpedo
land we lifted up as if by invisible hands and were slammed with fire,
just a blink
mom.
Man fades out, the backdrop. twenties swing softly playing in dark theater
spirit fades in:
A hard flickering violet light on his face, speaking in an intense whisper as the actor may contrive.
15
I will show you the truth
truth is thirst
when you have no water for days
simple quiet deep
terrifying truth
watch the soldier drink
then laugh at us and spit it out
he spits out whole mouthfuls on the dry ground
the ache
worse than any lover's desire
for just a sip
you know what war is?
I know you do not get it
or
it would be ended
the truth will make you insane
with thirst
twist in the fire
try to fly from the raging pain in your head and screaming through your bowls
gasp for air in the heat of your cell
death in Afghanistan
the Patriots cause
you are fools to believe
you win when you kill
any one
, any one, so bold and brilliant in wisdom
to say
I am God
is welcome to hell
its yours
you make it
you keep it
jump up and shout,
run, sing and dance
love the killers one and all
every mother's son with blood on his hands
I am awake
I know you don't like me
, you don't like this
get up and leave
you will find I will follow you
right into your dreams
you will no longer hide and wash your hands in innocence
our cause, our reasons, our way of life
its always the same side
its your side
its just a finger on the trigger
quick snap dead
explanation
and a few civilians killed by mistake
I'll be a mountain of bloody legs
blown off by land mines
resurrected arms and hands,
shattered severed heads
raining down
I have the strength of all the men killed
the innocence of the children
the raging sorrow of the mothers
the sadness of the fathers
when they realize that it is
their own sad art that paints this picture
its the cold kiss of death
I will kiss you this morning
in the big ditch in the field
you will stand beside in the cold dawn
its your own child's eyes you see looking up at you
its a crack, a thud
the kiss moves down the line
you fall
you see your child's eye move as you fall
stranger, in a long red cloak, standing before the fire, unannounced
dark deep eyes and brooding brows dark
velvet complexion
gather of blood
claiming souls for the record
the wall
the star in the window
the photo on the tomb stone
the telegraph from western union
stop
we are sorry
to report...
Spirit fades out
Stage is dark.Short pause, play a theme (you know your audience) to reset. a quiet intermission, not to long.
Fade in:
Civil war area man in fancy cloths of the time but ragged and stained.
speaking to the air :Remembering, an aristocratic sound and very sad.
!6
The cannon accidentally fired during maneuvers facing away from the range
the Yankees were drilling and doing range practice
I was looking at her and how beautiful she was in the evening sun
I saw the way the sun shone through the lace on her dress
when the ball arrived
oh sad arts, are the arts of war
the arts of crime and shame
innocence destroyed
God made insane
Man fades to dark
Spirit Comes up, differnt national flags projected on him and in fog surrounding him from under foot streaming up. The spirit is in the tone of a
17
For God and country of thee I bleed
I am angry
you don't see the empty hours in a cell alone
you don't see your man hammering the nails into the God child's wrists
over and over
you never blame yourself
for accepting this
is your bomb
this is your fear and rage
this is your blind acceptance
there will always be wars
bullshit
you know any thing is possible with God
what do you want ?
fools
I'll not dance at your victory,
you slyly let them start,
you knew
and pushed the hate along
looked the other way a moment
You are the problem of hate
you are the fear, and greed
me, me, me, you whimper
my God
my country
my people,
the prophet,
the way
"them"
"those"
"they"
we are
you are not
Gods children
infidel Jew Christian Buddhist
Arapaho man
told the young men
there is only death in war
"it is only death+ he said
you choose a path that is a lie in the beginning
and death in the end,
beware
I don't have time for your lying worm tongues
you bitter hate baiter's
you know who you are
Rush and I-ah ttola
dogs
I am in front of you now
I stand ragged and torn with my old shopping cart
in front of your car
you sit on the horn,
you cant scare this old solider
I'll not move
I don't even know my own name
what is that sound? Spirit Fades out
Old shopping cart man staring as if into a car at a crosswalk:
18
I am yours
the Congress gave the military millions and millions
they gave me a ticket to Korea
do you know how red
blood is in the snow?
blood is almost black in moonlight
I see the frozen children
fallen men
the skinny dog valiantly guarding the old woman's pale torn body
black on white, in gray sad memories flicker on and off
curse me of course in your car at the cross walk
but you should know, I
am yours
I am your humanity
I am what you teach your children
every tribe a killer tribe
every flag a song of death
you weave this tapestry
of death and destruction
into all that you are
you are never free
from the blinding explosion
searing and tearing, shattering your life into tattered meat
words spoken by the red mouths of the leaders
and preachers
teachers of hate and destruction
always, somehow...incredibly
for God or in the name of the Prophet or with God's divine help....
I'll take my shattered mind now..thank you very much
out of your way
you drive on..go on
wondering what was wrong with that crazy old fool with the shopping cart
now you will know
I will tell you
I will seep into every thing you do
again and again you will see me
in a book
Old man fades out
Two children fade in ( from Cambodia ) younger sister, older brother is the one speaking
green and straw grass looking streaks of light ?
19
As gun shots ring out in the night we lie in the tall wet grass
it smells like snakes and is scratchy
when the rain came we did not move,
father said not to move
until he came back
he said, pretend this is a dream and you are asleep
be very still, do not call me if some one comes, do not move, close your eyes and do not answer them
unless they know your names
he said this very quickly
and in a whisper
he was trembling, we felt his hand on us shaking, then he ran
it was still and quiet
a wind came and the rain, sister moved close to me but made no sound
now we lie in the tall wet grass
many excited voices
then gun shots, screams, the sound of some one coming
tromping around
they stop and come over around us
sister doesn't move,
I don't move
someone laughs one time
then crack
crack
(pause) change in tone:then
You will come with us now your children do not need you any more
Children fade out
Spirit fades in a bright blue white light casting sharp shadows on his /her face
speaking in a lecture tone of voice.
20
You will come with us now your children do not need you any more
I will settle into your dreams
it is different now
I grow in power every day
for as long as I stayed away
taking the hate and pain
gathering the sorrow and mindless grief of disbelief
the senseless tragedy
the couples locked in a death grip
having cut each others arteries staring
wild eyed at each other in victory
a vast horde came to me on fire
some covered in oil some in gasoline
others came as ash, all in one quick moment
like dust they settled among the severed heads
all a gift from your little planet home
the poison men gather, with their white coats and microscopes
all the little frozen glass tubes
anthrax and smallpox, so many deadly things to play with
they pile high the store room
the swords and knifes, all bloody and ringing with hate
clash in endless battle in the halls
all about the bullets and cannon shot fly
shredded flesh drifts down like snow
blinded bleeding eyes look on as countless voices cry out
the shutter of death trembles in your hart
I am real
I am here
I am yours
you can not put me away now
to do that you must agree
but
you love
your battleships, and confederate flags,
your fancy remote control airplanes
and exploding vests
and all those God damned silly hats
you are fools
with fire
little puny minds half formed
willing to follow any one
so easily
Spirit fades out
Solder in European military uniform ( Kosovo)
speaking with pride
21
we kill them,
they stand quietly
some of them get sick,
some of them faint
its a little messy
its quick
and its easy
I have five hundred now
almost a record for a day !
the back hoe digs the ditch, then covers them up
, quickly it is done
one man turned at the last moment and spit
I shot him in both eyes
we laughed and laughed because I was so angry at him
the only thing is the smell
sometimes I can't get that blood smell off of me
I not hungry much any more either....
I would not tell anyone but I almost admire the man who turned when he felt the hot gun barrel at the
back of his head
he was quick
tomorrow we may finish them all, eight thousand men and boys
Man fades out
Spirit fades in in similar fashion as before, stern, relentless > try to maintain a tense energy something that can build and die down but be maintained, sort of uncomfortable with out being over done the poem is a little over the top here but it is intended to be a cutting tool not pleasant or easy.
22
War crimes
in your face
six million Jews
two million Cambodians
numbers of countless thousands of ten and twenty
youn
1>22
This is to invite any one who wishes add suggestions for the stage production of this poem. Starting as of just now I am starting this work and will post it as it is developed. Please feel free to copy and print in a spirit of love.
A darkened stage, Elevated so the readers are looking down at the listeners, A dream of sorts is unfolding. the first speaker is the moderator and main speaker, it remains so through out the production.This is sort of an angel if you will
a keeper of all things of warfare. the memories, and sorrow, as it is to toxic to store in the deeper memories. This sprit has had enough of our warfare he has arrived to shake the world awake.
Note: the audience will listen more as looking up will get tiresome and they will look down and listen.there will be enough staging to make it interesting when they are looking up and to be filmed. If your production has a different design that is fine, these are going to be my suggestions.
This play is not intended as entertainment. it is long and difficult, it is in its entirety and done with depth and relentless. I would like for this production to be relentless as war leaving no escape from the message. This will not be easy, rock the world please.
I am also working on the music (much is needed.) voodoo the video I set free to do as you see fit
The first speaker can be male or female I would cast a powerful ghost of shifting genders, This would be two differnt actors, the male the dark side of the spirit, accusing and chastising anger, the female side would be conciliatory and sympathetic, more in play toward the last third and strong at the ending having become the spirit in the painting.( Peace will be born of woman's power and tenacity of conviction).
I have an Idea for a hooded figure with a hologram of the reader projected into the darkened hood on a darkened stage the hood would be animated but empty by and the hologram projected from inside to add to the dream. This is beyond my resources but some one could do it.
Otherwise a led string of lights inside the hood lighting the face with good make up would be interesting. A reader who really gets into the part will only need shadows and simple light, let the words do the work first, then add energy, but let the energy of the production come from the words.
Note : Have the l.e.d.lights modulated by the speakers voice. You could have the primary colors modulated by frequency (tunable) so that the spoken word modulates the lighting of the person as they speak. This could be used as whole stage response to sound, the music could be represented in light, we have computers. make it.
Note: I will refer to it as a play now, but it is first a poem.
As you read the play you will see it changes directly into new characters. This would be simple fading of the lights to the new actor actor perhaps stepping into the place of the speaker, However this is where creativity can really be employed if desired. music lead in, costumes, back field video, background music of the period the speaker is in. I have allowed you to know a time frame of the scene, a sailor in world war two, or a civil war solider, many stories,
each one coming in its own time and clarity, I see the faces and hear the words..Bring this to the audience.
The difficulty will be to hold the dream state.The speakers are remembering out loud. If there is two much visual the action will shift from the mind to the stage, the staging must be clever and seductive to keep the words front and center and build pictures in the mind, Consider it a radio play, this is the way I would do the first run, just read it. This work will grow slowly if allowed to mature by working in a first story and finding the voice.
The differnt experiences have differnt voices. If a part is desired by some one I would listen well to their interpretation of it, I am very excited to hear it begin.
First narration establishing tone and authority :
This is as the lights come up from a darkened stage the speaker is near the forward edge of the stage, this is a commanding speech an energy level is established by pauses as the actor finds a deep anger that can be maintained.
Spirit speaking:
1
So I wonder what is the task this time ?
who am I ?
You will see
your world is of dreams rambling
realities comprised of wishes and curses
a thousand thousand killers -all painted up
dandy dancers in religion
philosopher's power slaves
I am an animal man-creature
now shape shifting into your world
awake
You will not know me
You will not see
or understand,
just a stranger
another mental case
you will say
a ragged child of sand and wind
I can clearly see the lies you believe
so many explanations told as truth to the child
who grows
not knowing the questions are not answered
and instead carrying a bag of lies and fairy tail
awake, yes I am awake
I tried to stay at rest
but once too often I was disturbed
I had to shed my sleep and my skin
all of you have awakened me
all of you with your noise
clambering, ranting, spitting hate drizzle
I am
who are you mad men underlings ?those
dancing, howling, midnight dark dreamers, suns of hate
dark riders in the wind of sorrow ?
flinging into the eyes of men
I am awake and you will stand down in the edge of a dream
a reality breaths
the shifting ripples along the skin and in the blood
the eyes change
new knowledge comes into the mind of the phoenix
the sun and the wind feed me
the sparrow and the hawk teach me
the oak tree is my strength
I am rock and earth
blood and tears
I am here now among you
quickly I travel in electronic arteries
in the spider web around the world
unannounced
unrequested
I'll gather your young about me
this is now
I am awake
now I will splinter and sing
to you this new song of long ages made
come children listen:
first one war
then another
and another
after these some
many more
all the same sad story
nothing learned.
Now the stage grows dark and the first story teller enters and the spirt exits back.
Lights come up on an early morning light the stage is predominately in dark blue perhaps an early morning
(The sky is beyond black or blue)
This would be an American soldier in uniformed a blue light, dark blue shifting shades
perhaps a dawn ever so pale in the back, There would be new gear he could be fingering some bullets, loading a rifle, perhaps a silent helicopter in a video in the back ground, the actor starts speaking looking at the air.
2
Tomorrow I leave
the stars cascade across my vision
the radio makes talk over in the Humvee
the air is cold
ageless sands shift under an ageless sky
my boots are new
the equipment is new
everything smells plastic elastic Velcro fresh
the ammo is heavy
neat and clean
I am just arrived alive
but tomorrow afternoon I will leave
beyond repair
mother was relieved
it will do you good to join
( a pause and change of expression)
unfolding before my eyes the heavy afternoon heat gives way
to heat beyond the edge of reason
complete silent pressure
no sound.
Note: The light comes up quick bright as the explosion
as he finishes speaking this as intense as can be achieved.
Then the actor steps out of the light as thunder rolls.
The spirit returns :The stage is dark except for the spirit speaking addressing the audience
3
Don't tell me I don't know
I am awake
I am here to haunt you
a dead child
cold blue child
dead destroyed baby girl
shrapnel blue deep pits above her eyes
a hole in her face and an arm gone ragged
(Pause)
don't tell me any thing
I am awake
this isn't an idea
the fires of hell
are kept lit by you fools
you know who you are
you did not count on me
I will stop you
now
and gather into a force
of truth
afraid beyond words
young and dead
no lover's arms to return to
only you standing at a marble headstone
I will not leave you alone
The light on the spirit fades to deep red then out, leaving the actor in the dark.
Thinking about this, the spirit may stay standing in the dark as a presence this may be better than leaving the stage. Amend first exit if desired.
Place Vietnam
Background music; sixties classic (hay whats that sound look whats going down)
solder with long hair, bandana peace symbol on helmet dark circles under eyes dirty
stoned and weary
Light is pale yellow casting a jaundice pallor to the skin, maybe smoking a cigarette lighting up before speaking, again to the air,( retain the dream)
Actor speaking:shakes his head as if remembering we have came on him telling the story it just starts right in with out preamble.
4
The chopper settled in to the gooks nest
high as a kite
the air was bath water
the smell was gasoline and swamp
it was fun
incoming was buzzing
but the tie sticks and beer took the afternoon
just hit the ground in the raging dust
empty the clip
run stumble and fly into the shade
the world is pounding,
one big heart beat
still the chopper sings its farewell
a deep stillness settles in
quietly the men die
bleeding a rivulet into the soft soil
the rice field simmers in the sun
the heat settles in
so stoned I don't care
its just this stupid war
I want to go home, but that's a million dreams away
Mike died yesterday
a week in evak,
they knew he would and he knew it was up
Joey is insane
Dave is slipping into a killer
(a long sigh, the actor looks down at the ground and slowly shakes his head as the light fades to the sound of a helicopter leaving and the music plays softly, let the actor stay dimly lit a little longer than intuitive to allow the emotion to settle in the listeners.
fade to dark spirit fades in.
5
I'll ramble if I want to, you can't stop me
You don't have any clue as to who I am
do you?
no
the father land needed me..
(breaks off statement)
The spirit fades dark.
A solder in a German uniform ww2 illuminated in a greenish sickly light
a floor spot light would work well, march music playing?
Starts speaking:
6
To kill the Jews
they came so smartly to my door this morning
shiny and at attention
all scrubbed clean
full of the mission, you will come with us
I knew to go
the air was cold, the day was clear
a little snow was left in the hedges and about the buildings of town
your name, yes we know who you are
fill out this form
sit in this chair
wait
here is your identification, don't lose it
you will be shot if you cant produce it
you are now in the glory of the father land
I wanted only my books and the sweet girl at the bakery store
my microscope and violin
no idea of war was mine
now I stand naked in the cold water
hollow gray home of a thousand pale boys
given to this order of insanity.
Light fades actor exits.
Spirit fades in.
Note: I am feeling my way into these transitions, it will take some experiments to see how to do this to achieve a dream like transition, the whole of it is in the spirits memory a good theater person may well see abetter way,
Spirit speaking*sad* controlled anger )
7
Again and again
wave your flags wave them until the dead can see you
wave them all
all you flag wavers,
wave like you never waved before
you wont stop me
I am fire
I am the fire of truth
not to hidden by righteousness or holiness
you can't do that when it is just a plain old destroying truth
stupidity is truth
cruelty is truth
foolish following is truth
I burn you to the bone,
I destroy you in your bed
I will hunt you down and make you see me
I am awake you have disturbed me,
I am in a deep cosmic rage
you will wonder where I came from
I am yours
you made me and left me for dead, forgotten
sleeping in the gas chambers and killing fields
you keep dreaming this nightmare over and over
I am awake
quickly follow me
if you can
or you will not see me enter the great halls
where the powerful men yammer and spit
spending lives like currency
you will not see me casting dark confusion over them with the spider net
to watch them spin their own destruction
ever more ridicule
turning on each other in a harvest of their own blood
turned to ash
their clothes will turn to rags as I leave
the Apache dance in the fire light
as the Crow
as the Choctaw
something has gone terribly wrong
they know
but still, now the arrow is for the heart of brothers
not the deer or elk
I bend and cut the scalp
rip it back
I hold it high and feel the warm blood run down my arm
our eyes have gone wild, like wolves at the kill
if my hand touches you
you will be without understanding
you will see yourself as the bomber and the destroyed
your mouth will speak of destruction
but it will always be yours
I will find you
you who think you are so wise
as to be the judge and destroyer
one by one you will come with me
it is all a lie
it is noise and confusion
inherited foolishness, well kept and passed down
father to son
now you will see me
you will not hide from me I will hold the flame on your mind
until the fire catches
can you not see who I am
spirit fades.
The light comes up ( a pale early dawn, drifting fog? )on a confederate soldier in uniform old county music of the period ( Ken Burns style ) the actor is young.
8
Sweet among the hills of Tennessee
home
the gray rough new uniform
the new packets of powder and shot,
the brass shiny caps
a rainy mist, the gray lines
the cavalry call
the answering volley
the first
so it begins
I am now turning around and around looking,
everything moves so slowly
the man in blue twists and shatters before my eyes
settling like a rag across a fallen tree
all scarlet and shiny
I am a thunder,
my ears hear a drum beat ever slower
I am on fire
the world is turning red and silent,
I look down at the ring on my finger
you will hear me now
you will hear my bride weep
you will smell the honeysuckle vine I fell into
it takes me home outside the window
I sing in the vines
a chill runs through and through the woman looking out
seeing the gray clouds scuttle by
I close my eyes
put it down
put down the page
, put away the pen
The light fades on the soldier
The light comes back up on the spirit it is quiet for a few moments.
then in almost a whisper.
9
Quiet the rage
try to still the tongue and silence the song I bring
I am alive
deep in the truth I reside
I show you the lies
I will not be gone
back to the romance of the fife and drum, bagpipe and song
dances at the academy
in smart new uniforms
all the shiny fancy aircraft.
The spirit looks up as if looking at something
light fades
Vietnamese woman in farm village close a flickering exploding yellow and red light roar of fire sound crackling. ( recorded napalm burning if possible). Again remembering, speaking to the air looking at a vision.
10
The napalm scudded like burning vomit across the village
the babe sizzled like bacon
popping and spitting as the fire consumed it
I am transfixed
still frozen
I am as stone
my child burns and I melt into the fire
the fire leaps up my long hair and kisses my cheek
the cow staggers by outside on fire
I can hear grandmother singing
I feel the long rain
coming now
Light fads in orange and red then blood red then dark. Dark stage, sound of fire only for a long moment crackling. (this is an important moment in the play
the Idea is to go a stage deeper now into the subconcenes.
The light comes up on the spirit the face is in shadow the hooded costume has a fire like light projected on it side to side, try to keep face in shadow. Kind of a mocking friendly speech.
11
I am the fire
you should know me better
you play on your island testing ground
ah curious children
you get your revenge on the yellow people
( tone changes ) sinister
I'll take your world from you if you are not careful
(pause )
I am fire
I am awake
Then light fades spirit out
English solider world war one: period uniform helmet, brown lighting, Pale dead looking skin, big hole in forehead.period music ?( cannon fire steady rumble)
12
How did we get here in France ?
hell Henry and I volunteered down at the station that's how we got here
Cindy kissed me goodbye
that is all I really wanted,
was for her to kiss me good by
and look at me that way.she did as she said she would wait for me
I am cold now
quiet and dead,
covered up in the bottom of the trench
slipped back down into the mud
smacked in the forehead,
it felt like a hornet sting and a hard punch between the eyes
everything went white and shiny for a moment
a deep dark starry night sky spinning all around
a beautiful point of singing light
the most radiant ring of light
the gate
but I wanted to come home to Cindy !
I cant be here yet !
Light comes up from brown to sky blue then intense spot on actor bright before snapping out.
The spirit fades in dimly, speaks softly almost sing song.
13
The men in line do not understand that they also all must die
standing in line to sign the papers and give their lives for
the answer to the question they do not ask.
(pause)
why
Spirit fades out
Fade in : Man in overalls in country setting ( photo), yellow soft light on actor, comfortable country voice. these settings can be on a dark back drop cloth,
Note:Try to not have strong transitions in lighting, dark theater dark screen photos projected from back and shows through the screen) again remembering. perhaps turn to the side looking at projection.
14
Searing tearing pain
the whole side of my face blown away
I'm staring at you in disbelief
with one eye hanging out,
for a moment I can see it
I am home
I am yours
I walk the lonely clay road in Alabama
looking for my home place in the summer sun
I see a an old oak tree,
the dewberries are ripe
and now the big circle of oaks
the lighter knot gate post
but no gate,
only the chimney stands from the old home place
I suppose the Philco radio is gone as well?
how is this
I was standing on the foredeck watching the incoming zeros
looking for my recon man when something went terribly wrong
for a second I understood torpedo
land we lifted up as if by invisible hands and were slammed with fire,
just a blink
mom.
Man fades out, the backdrop. twenties swing softly playing in dark theater
spirit fades in:
A hard flickering violet light on his face, speaking in an intense whisper as the actor may contrive.
15
I will show you the truth
truth is thirst
when you have no water for days
simple quiet deep
terrifying truth
watch the soldier drink
then laugh at us and spit it out
he spits out whole mouthfuls on the dry ground
the ache
worse than any lover's desire
for just a sip
you know what war is?
I know you do not get it
or
it would be ended
the truth will make you insane
with thirst
twist in the fire
try to fly from the raging pain in your head and screaming through your bowls
gasp for air in the heat of your cell
death in Afghanistan
the Patriots cause
you are fools to believe
you win when you kill
any one
, any one, so bold and brilliant in wisdom
to say
I am God
is welcome to hell
its yours
you make it
you keep it
jump up and shout,
run, sing and dance
love the killers one and all
every mother's son with blood on his hands
I am awake
I know you don't like me
, you don't like this
get up and leave
you will find I will follow you
right into your dreams
you will no longer hide and wash your hands in innocence
our cause, our reasons, our way of life
its always the same side
its your side
its just a finger on the trigger
quick snap dead
explanation
and a few civilians killed by mistake
I'll be a mountain of bloody legs
blown off by land mines
resurrected arms and hands,
shattered severed heads
raining down
I have the strength of all the men killed
the innocence of the children
the raging sorrow of the mothers
the sadness of the fathers
when they realize that it is
their own sad art that paints this picture
its the cold kiss of death
I will kiss you this morning
in the big ditch in the field
you will stand beside in the cold dawn
its your own child's eyes you see looking up at you
its a crack, a thud
the kiss moves down the line
you fall
you see your child's eye move as you fall
stranger, in a long red cloak, standing before the fire, unannounced
dark deep eyes and brooding brows dark
velvet complexion
gather of blood
claiming souls for the record
the wall
the star in the window
the photo on the tomb stone
the telegraph from western union
stop
we are sorry
to report...
Spirit fades out
Stage is dark.Short pause, play a theme (you know your audience) to reset. a quiet intermission, not to long.
Fade in:
Civil war area man in fancy cloths of the time but ragged and stained.
speaking to the air :Remembering, an aristocratic sound and very sad.
!6
The cannon accidentally fired during maneuvers facing away from the range
the Yankees were drilling and doing range practice
I was looking at her and how beautiful she was in the evening sun
I saw the way the sun shone through the lace on her dress
when the ball arrived
oh sad arts, are the arts of war
the arts of crime and shame
innocence destroyed
God made insane
Man fades to dark
Spirit Comes up, differnt national flags projected on him and in fog surrounding him from under foot streaming up. The spirit is in the tone of a
17
For God and country of thee I bleed
I am angry
you don't see the empty hours in a cell alone
you don't see your man hammering the nails into the God child's wrists
over and over
you never blame yourself
for accepting this
is your bomb
this is your fear and rage
this is your blind acceptance
there will always be wars
bullshit
you know any thing is possible with God
what do you want ?
fools
I'll not dance at your victory,
you slyly let them start,
you knew
and pushed the hate along
looked the other way a moment
You are the problem of hate
you are the fear, and greed
me, me, me, you whimper
my God
my country
my people,
the prophet,
the way
"them"
"those"
"they"
we are
you are not
Gods children
infidel Jew Christian Buddhist
Arapaho man
told the young men
there is only death in war
"it is only death+ he said
you choose a path that is a lie in the beginning
and death in the end,
beware
I don't have time for your lying worm tongues
you bitter hate baiter's
you know who you are
Rush and I-ah ttola
dogs
I am in front of you now
I stand ragged and torn with my old shopping cart
in front of your car
you sit on the horn,
you cant scare this old solider
I'll not move
I don't even know my own name
what is that sound? Spirit Fades out
Old shopping cart man staring as if into a car at a crosswalk:
18
I am yours
the Congress gave the military millions and millions
they gave me a ticket to Korea
do you know how red
blood is in the snow?
blood is almost black in moonlight
I see the frozen children
fallen men
the skinny dog valiantly guarding the old woman's pale torn body
black on white, in gray sad memories flicker on and off
curse me of course in your car at the cross walk
but you should know, I
am yours
I am your humanity
I am what you teach your children
every tribe a killer tribe
every flag a song of death
you weave this tapestry
of death and destruction
into all that you are
you are never free
from the blinding explosion
searing and tearing, shattering your life into tattered meat
words spoken by the red mouths of the leaders
and preachers
teachers of hate and destruction
always, somehow...incredibly
for God or in the name of the Prophet or with God's divine help....
I'll take my shattered mind now..thank you very much
out of your way
you drive on..go on
wondering what was wrong with that crazy old fool with the shopping cart
now you will know
I will tell you
I will seep into every thing you do
again and again you will see me
in a book
Old man fades out
Two children fade in ( from Cambodia ) younger sister, older brother is the one speaking
green and straw grass looking streaks of light ?
19
As gun shots ring out in the night we lie in the tall wet grass
it smells like snakes and is scratchy
when the rain came we did not move,
father said not to move
until he came back
he said, pretend this is a dream and you are asleep
be very still, do not call me if some one comes, do not move, close your eyes and do not answer them
unless they know your names
he said this very quickly
and in a whisper
he was trembling, we felt his hand on us shaking, then he ran
it was still and quiet
a wind came and the rain, sister moved close to me but made no sound
now we lie in the tall wet grass
many excited voices
then gun shots, screams, the sound of some one coming
tromping around
they stop and come over around us
sister doesn't move,
I don't move
someone laughs one time
then crack
crack
(pause) change in tone:then
You will come with us now your children do not need you any more
Children fade out
Spirit fades in a bright blue white light casting sharp shadows on his /her face
speaking in a lecture tone of voice.
20
You will come with us now your children do not need you any more
I will settle into your dreams
it is different now
I grow in power every day
for as long as I stayed away
taking the hate and pain
gathering the sorrow and mindless grief of disbelief
the senseless tragedy
the couples locked in a death grip
having cut each others arteries staring
wild eyed at each other in victory
a vast horde came to me on fire
some covered in oil some in gasoline
others came as ash, all in one quick moment
like dust they settled among the severed heads
all a gift from your little planet home
the poison men gather, with their white coats and microscopes
all the little frozen glass tubes
anthrax and smallpox, so many deadly things to play with
they pile high the store room
the swords and knifes, all bloody and ringing with hate
clash in endless battle in the halls
all about the bullets and cannon shot fly
shredded flesh drifts down like snow
blinded bleeding eyes look on as countless voices cry out
the shutter of death trembles in your hart
I am real
I am here
I am yours
you can not put me away now
to do that you must agree
but
you love
your battleships, and confederate flags,
your fancy remote control airplanes
and exploding vests
and all those God damned silly hats
you are fools
with fire
little puny minds half formed
willing to follow any one
so easily
Spirit fades out
Solder in European military uniform ( Kosovo)
speaking with pride
21
we kill them,
they stand quietly
some of them get sick,
some of them faint
its a little messy
its quick
and its easy
I have five hundred now
almost a record for a day !
the back hoe digs the ditch, then covers them up
, quickly it is done
one man turned at the last moment and spit
I shot him in both eyes
we laughed and laughed because I was so angry at him
the only thing is the smell
sometimes I can't get that blood smell off of me
I not hungry much any more either....
I would not tell anyone but I almost admire the man who turned when he felt the hot gun barrel at the
back of his head
he was quick
tomorrow we may finish them all, eight thousand men and boys
Man fades out
Spirit fades in in similar fashion as before, stern, relentless > try to maintain a tense energy something that can build and die down but be maintained, sort of uncomfortable with out being over done the poem is a little over the top here but it is intended to be a cutting tool not pleasant or easy.
22
War crimes
in your face
six million Jews
two million Cambodians
numbers of countless thousands of ten and twenty
youn