Background Actor

a sad story

For a few seconds in Columbo ; scratching like a cat

on the door of recognition, selling hotdogs

as a star drifts by. Cut. Motel curtains that smell

of coffee ; a bed full of bottles. Traffic in his eyes and

dust between his fingers. A noble fall ! - we never knew him ;

a minor hero stamped on celluloid , lost on the cutting-room floor.

Reviews

[SHEEMA HUQ]

such a splendid write, Leslie, I like very much, your use of sharp and sentimental imagery and all so well woven together

[captain]

descriptive view in your words, i enjoyed the scenery you describle and ending is very much unexpected. witty write!

[Michael G.]

In the filming industry in Wilmington, North Carolina, extras make $58.00 a day. Not much. But it is still a chance to be seen in a scene, hopefully not landing on the floor.
An interesting write.

[poeticpiers]

are we not all but bitpart actors to most others.until someone discovers us to be stars

[jacob erin-cilberto]

those people who are ignored like extras in a movie...and then cut from our lives often before we even get to know them....

we are the stars concentrating on the co-stars in our lives...

but are the best actors always the main ones?

the extras make up an important part of a film...just as many who seem insignificant at the time make up an important part of our lives...even if we don't recognize.

[Claire Twinn]

One of life's tragedies that no one even knows about. I love your metaphor of the cat scratching at the window, there's something really pathetic and frantic when my cat does that.
Altogether a perfect poem, every word poignant and deep with meaning and the whole thing flowing and coming together beautifully.

[Circe]

your descriptions are precise... they capture the human disintegration in the every second.... a quiet tragedy.. if not for your words, might have been overlooked and never brought to light, this is sharp artistic vision.

[DIVYA]

Oh! The maverick hands of destiny! What could have been..
Its all fate...

A very thought-provoking write!

[Riley]

Clever.
I like the concept of this piece, and believe it was actualised well.

Thanks for sharing.