Talking back ter the cracked actor

with stacks of gratitude to David Bowie

There once was a fellow who fell

from the heavens ‘cos home-life was hell

with no help from the man

who was stuck in a tin-can

and with no word from Warhol, as well.

We heard an album track and danced to it.

I took a chance, went into town

put money down and purchased it.

I brought it back

taken aback

you said, I fear

this other actor track –

it isn’t really one to suit

my mother or a Jesuit.

You made it clear

you’d like to hear

to hear, the other side of it:

the story of the one who wasn’t cracked

to hear it, their position in the pact…

Dear Actor

I’m sorry I can’t stay

I’ve got another job to do.

And also, may I say

I am an actor, just like you.

You’ve been jolly good in Hollywood

and you know it is a fact –

an actor, when in character

has to do the best they can

to keep their character intact.

It’s the same art

even if your part is small

anyway, My Love, please do give me a call.

I will not leave you waiting

as I say, My Love, please do give me a call.

For my sort, there’s no trade union –

so, we pay no union dues

but there are those situations

where a decent deputation representing us

is something we could definitely use.

For instance, there are those

who can be rude and over-bearing

we’ve no platform that is set up

for the sharing of a grievance

when it’s shoddy

there’s no body which is able to install

rudimentary parameters,

you’re not dealing with amateurs

you’ve got my number, please do give me a call.

I would say my outside-business-self is not what you’d suppose

it is poetry at home, it is my passion to compose.

…Yes, I am a wee bit complex, personality – wise

there is something of a multitude in me.

In your eyes

there may be some aberration of the brain

but I see my many facets

as considerable assets.

In the main.

I don’t think I’m even partially insane.

And, I do like Plath and Plato

with my beans and baked potato…

is this too much information?

Goodness knows.

I need to keep things under wraps

I hope I haven’t cracked already!

…But, I would say

some of the words which you have chosen

for your script

they are pointed

and occasionally, rather poison-tipped!

You can speak to me like that

or you could speak to me like this:

you are the scatter in my scat

you are the hanky in my hat 

how you have glistened my glissando

you are my lifeboat 

you are my life

you are my

you are

YOU

You could try some stuff like that.

Take the trouble to see the lines that ought to go,

but don’t take this as a negative, oh no!

In fact, you write a note and sign it

and I promise I will frame it.

I’ll give it a place of honour

on my wall.

Talking of walls

I am able to see

a fly – and it seems to be

talking to me

saying

observing your species

from my point of view

your faeces, by far

is the best you can do.’

And with that, the fly goes flying into space.

We are coming to the closure of this case

Look, you have the vital factor.

Be a mitigating actor.

Let us never let love be forgot.

Do remember love don’t cost a lot!

The loss of love – us, who are in theatre

we must labour to forestall…

let’s look out for each other’s backs

as we trundle along on the tracks.

If we zig and we zag

we can dodge every snag

and with love we can cover the cracks.

With our love we can cover the cracks.

We can be each other’s harbour

in the squallour and the squall.

I’ll light the lamp

when you give me a call.