04 November 2024

Retakes

''Cut, ready for a retake.''
'Cut, Retake. The make up
Is not right'

"Cut, Retake, in the next 
Scene, tear up a little less."
I don't want an exaggerated 
Sob- says the director.

Is this the 19th take?
Who cares. All you can feel
Is his hands on your bust.
Intended brush on the hips.

This hasn't changed in ages.

Cry a little less? How?
Your every effort to suppress 
Each drop of tear,
Bursts open another fissure 
That wants to laugh.

Laugh and laugh, till all 
The tormenters are deaf?
Molesters turn blind and 
The divide that comes with 
Gender is neutered?  

But you can't laugh. 
Can you?

All the efforts you put up
To cry a little less in the next 
Take, when you've an 
Ocean to pour down.

What's more ironic?
Inability to laugh or 
Cry a little less?
Or the fact that the director 
Says 'scene' and you're
Ready again for 

The next nineteen
Or God knows how many!