by Ares Valdiviezo
Neon rain
smiles down on my face.
Ladder up.
Change the letters—
a new screening,
a new day.
Remember when I taught you what that’s called?
The marquee?
The silver sheen,
that old ticket box,
and the Barton organ.
Haloed by the chandelier—
a performance
that brings me to tears.
And…
scene.
Thunderous applause.
The credits roll.
(My biggest fear.)
(I’m gonna have to buy another ticket.)
neon marquee. Photo credit: D. Finch
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Ares Valdiviezo is a Peruvian-American writer and filmmaker based in Ann Arbor. He has a deep passion for cinema, and the Michigan Theater is both a sanctuary and source of inspiration in his creative life.
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This is an original poem, brought to you by Poet Tree Town, a community poetry-in-public initiative and celebration of local Washtenaw poets. Find out more about Poet Tree Town on Instagram and Facebook, or say hello at [email protected].
