I’m the comic-relief,
lower class, a bit plump,
and a little past my prime,
but I charm you with a line,
don’t I, know the ins and outs—a wink–
the doings of the great and small?
I gather gossip like pocket lint, and
hold it there, to share with all
(but only when I need it). I never play a noble, only
a servant at my betters’ beck and call–
forgotten in-between the scenes, and I never get the handsome guy–
but I let it fly—because,
well, you know why?
When after all those touching songs and breathless sighs
the sweet, young lovers die (a tragedy, I’m sure)–
here I am hearty and alive
and furthermore– I thrive.
For Ingrid’s prompt on dVerse to write in the voice of a fictional character.
I heard this song (it is funny) performed by Broadway star Rebecca Luker, who died of ALS in December. It made me think of the opposite, what the comic-relief characters might say—for example the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet or Madame Thénardier in the musical Les Misérables.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
What a wonderful, thriving character you have conjured up here, Merril! I think echoes of the Wife of Bath as well. I especially love these lines:
I gather gossip like pocket lint, and
hold it there, to share with all
And of course, the closing couplet 🙂
Oh, yes, definitely the Wife of Bath, too.
I think the characters in the play who are there to give a backdrop to the drama, might be those that live the better life…
I think that might be the case, too.
Shakespeare’s Nurse is one of my favourite characters, she has a tragic background, losing her own child and bringing up Juliet only to lose her too. What would a main character be without the supporting role? You captured some of her essence in this poem, Merril, and I think a Dickens character is in there too. I love the lines:
‘I gather gossip like pocket lint, and
hold it there, to share with all’.
Thank you, Kim. Oh, you’re right about her dead infant, and about Dickens. He definitely wrote some great supporting characters!
You have created a fantastic character in this poem. I also love the line about gathering gossip like pocket lint. It made me laugh. I feel like I know this lady.
Thank you very much! I think we all know her!😀
This is exquisitely drawn, Merril! 💝 I especially love; “I never play a noble, only a servant at my betters’ beck and call–forgotten in-between the scenes,”.. but oh, they are never truly forgotten now, are they? 😉
Thank you very much, Sanaa! No, they aren’t. 😀
Now this is the Queen of the Last Word, smartly silent!
Thank you so much, Beverly!
I think you have a gift for creating characters.
That is so kind. Thank you, Claudia!
Oh my, I can so relate to your character!
That’s wonderful! Thank you!
I’d like to know more about her. Nicely done, Merril!
Thank you very much, Jill!
I love the light hearted and comedic voice. I also like this part:
I gather gossip like pocket lint, and
hold it there, to share with all
Thank you very much, Grace!
I love the character you’ve created with this poem! I’d read a novel narrated by her. I really enjoyed the video, too. A very funny song!
Thank you so much, Liz! 😀
I just heard the song the other night. I saw something on social media about an album that was completed after Luker’s death.
This is an “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar” kind of write …. I love it!
Thank you, Helen!😀
The background characters are often the most interesting to me, and this proves it. A supporting role is exactly what it sounds like to the main role, but we never stop and think about their lives either; the past before the main events of the story or what happened leading up or in-between for the supporting characters. It’s interesting and I have not thought about it that way until reading your wonderful poem. Makes me acknowledge more of the inner story of those characters and how it could potentially impact the main ones. Brilliant work here. It’s beautiful and humorous as well. I enjoyed reading it very much!
Thank you so much for your lovely, thoughtful comment, Lucy!
I gather gossip like pocket lint, and
hold it there, to share with all
This sounds like politics saving up the gossip to use for future gain!
The wise one laughs last!
So true, Dwight. Political gossip is definitely a commodity.
I was thinking of how house servants knew all the business of what was going on in the household.
Yes they did. Do you think they leveraged their knowledge as well?
Oh, I’m sure they did sometimes. Also, sometimes they testified in court.
:>)
😀
A great poem Merril.
Thanks so much, Dwight!
You are welcome!
The poem almost reminds me of the old stage play poems in between scene transitions or during character introduction. The tune of it matches those.
Thank you. I hadn’t thought of that. 😀
Everyone gets their own ideas with a poem
Many can relate to the sentiment in this, including me. I won awards in academia but not so much as a writer, often playing “the supporting role.” I can relate to the lines “and a little past my prime,
but I charm you with a line,”
I write because I love it and savor the connection with other writers.
Exquisite!
Thank you for adding your perspective, Marian!
🙂
Well done. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe.
A wonderful character presented so well. ALS was clearly a tragedy for Rebecca Luker
Thank you very much, Derrick.
As for Luker–yes, definitely. I hope I did not imply otherwise. Her death was a loss to her husband, family, friends, and the theater world.
There was no such implication from you
😀
Oh, Bravo! For all the glory given to the leads, it truly is the supporting characters that make a story worth the telling. What would “Twelfth Night” be without Fool? Bond without M and Q? Frodo and Samwise without Merry and Pippin? Any Broadway musical without its chorus line? They are called support for a reason and your witty charmer knows her self-worth indeed!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and thoughtful comment.
Merril- I love this. Not sure if you’ve seen Bridgerton, but Lady Whistledown immediately came to mind. She writes a gossip column, and no one knows for sure who she is, although it was revealed in the season finale.
I did see Bridgerton ( a true binge show). 😀 That was definitely a world of gossip. Thank you!
Yes, it is! You’re welcome.
An extremely talented write! What a clever character you chose. Bravo!
Thank you very much, Susan!
Great concept, and I love these lines “I gather gossip like pocket lint, and
hold it there, to share with all.” The lovely contrast of hold it there/share with all.
Thank you so much for your close reading!
What a fun poem! I enjoyed your creativity, Merril! 😍
Thank you so much,Colleen!
I love your gossip-collecting character – she sounds like great fun. Thank you also for sharing the video of Rebecca Luker – a wonderful talent.
Thank you so much, and you’re very welcome!
Wonderful poem!!!
Stoppard’s ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead’ is one of my favourite plays, a poignant comic take from the point of view of secondary characters in Hamlet. Your poem reminded me of it.
Thank you so much.
Yes, it’s a clever play. A few years ago, a Philadelphia theater did Hamlet and then Rosencrantz and Guidlenstern with some of the same actors.
Excellent Merril, so well written!
Thanks, Rob.
Luker’s song was truly funny … thank you for sharing it, Merril. How tragic she died so young.
Like all your readers, I love the line about gathering gossip like pocket lint. How perfectly rendered, and though your character is fictional, she comes to life with your words 🙂
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Marie! 💙
Now that is a fun piece, Merril! Fab work. The song is delightful, and is the perfect accompaniment!
Thank you so much, Resa! 💙
Ah, the supporting role. Often underrated, often stealer of the show… Loved this!
Thank you very much! 😀
🙂