Silent Movies Poem by Theresa Ann Moore

In the vacuum of darkness
flickers of light radiate from
a silver-screen with captions...
A piano player from within
the theatre accompanies
the portrayal of comedy
and eye-entrancing drama
with corresponding chords
that feed a heightening flame

Glowing coals of emotions
ignite when actors
with flaring expressions
combust while reactions
intensify…smoldering shades
of celluloid gray are now confined
between layers of black and white
Voices are harshly inaudible…
as they laugh, scream, and cry

Silent films of yesteryear
are forgotten and dismissed as
rudimentary trails of smoke
fading from extinguishing embers...
momentarily sending bursts of
sparkle that abruptly ceases
Mute voices from the past haunt...
Who will rekindle the passion
of empathetic comprehension

Hushed tones of silent films are being
retrieved from corroding film canisters
Images are etched onto polymer discs
rescuing movie making history
Saved from surging streams of eroding time
The marvel of innovation salvages skills
of since dead actors, filming crews,
and directors…they are to be remembered


10/9/2010