Riveted

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by Robyn Sarah

It is possible that things will not get better
than they are now, or have been known to be.
It is possible that we are past the middle now.
It is possible that we have crossed the great water
without knowing it, and stand now on the other side.
Yes: I think that we have crossed it. Now
we are being given tickets, and they are not
tickets to the show we had been thinking of,
but to a different show, clearly inferior.

Check again: it is our own name on the envelope.
The tickets are to that other show.

It is possible that we will walk out of the darkened hall
without waiting for the last act: people do.
Some people do. But it is probable
that we will stay seated in our narrow seats
all through the tedious dénouement
to the unsurprising end — riveted, as it were;
spellbound by our own imperfect lives
because they are lives,
and because they are ours.

Comments

  1. RudeeMarch 8, 2009 at 7:42 PM

    That used to be me-staying when I hated where I was. Whether out of politeness, or responsibility, I can't say what made me stay. These days, I recognize life is too short to sit uncomfortably captive, and if I don't like what I'm doing, I leave.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SherrieMarch 8, 2009 at 11:42 PM

    That is really beautiful, thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LydiaMarch 9, 2009 at 12:33 AM

    I was riveted by the familiarity of this scene. Twenty-five years ago I was single and living in Portland, OR. My mother brought her older brother and his wife (who were visiting from Calif.) to meet me for lunch at a downtown restaurant. My aunt fell on the steps as we were leaving and broke her hip. Ambulance, hospital.....them suddenly in Portland for over two weeks, including my mother who stayed with me to be near them. Easter Sunday coming...what to do with/for my mom? The Memorial Coliseum was to be the site for a multi-denominational service with a choir of 300 voices and Pat Boone as the special guest. The 300 turned out to be a weak 100+ voices. Pat Boone was born again alright, as an insane screamer. The crowd knew what to expect; they were not multi-denominational at all....we were captives in a coliseum full of Pentacostal/evangelicals (far from my comfort zone). I whispered to my mother that I would explode if I had to stay one more minute. With all the composure and grace in the world she rose from her seat in the bleacher (I following), excused us as we climbed over the legs of the faithful, trekked up the metal stairs (clang, clip, clang) to the landing that led us out of that horrible room. Once out in the lobby she asked "Where shall we go for Easter brunch?"
    I loved and miss her very much.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 9, 2009 at 5:26 AM

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    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMarch 9, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    I ditto Rudee's most perfect response. Me, today.

    ReplyDelete
  6. debraMarch 9, 2009 at 6:47 AM

    And it is so.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Viewtiful_JustinMarch 9, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    I'm reading Watchmen right now, and there is a bit in there about life being significant simply because it's LIFE.

    Very true.

    ReplyDelete
  8. robertMarch 9, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    The most exhilarating,
    is the possible.
    Reading your blog, invites to make life better. Thank you. Because it is possible...

    ReplyDelete
  9. ArgentMarch 9, 2009 at 3:20 PM

    Excellent post! I've certainly had my "is this really IT???" moments.

    ReplyDelete
  10. CISMarch 9, 2009 at 3:46 PM

    enjoyed the post. very well written.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jenn100March 9, 2009 at 5:27 PM

    wow impressive blog, Im really new to this blogging thing, you may not have time but feel free to check mine out and give constructive critisizm.
    the adventures of my girls
    thanks and keep writing

    ReplyDelete

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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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