Rock, Paper and Scissors, The Stationery Couple, Creative Coffee Shop, Cleopatra VII

By S.Alagulakshmi

Living a reclusive life,

where I see my vibrant friends with their watercolour wives,

prompting me to feel amazed at their psyched life.

Hoping for the one to step in,

and make me happy till the brim.

Waiting for her all alone,

like a clown,

as my shades turn rusty brown,

losing the charm of my classic crown,

leaving me in a frown.

Waving in the cold night breeze,

I see you with a surprised glance.

Waiting for a chance,

to grab you for a dance.

My page pitied,

witnessing you in a pair,

brought by your Rock dad,

pretending not to care,

since that was not fair.

Wavering with the enveloped dreams,

as the cold breeze makes me crease.

Where I bow to you to snip me into a beautiful art,

before I hit rock bottom. 

Script

TITLE:  The Stationery Couple

Written by: S. AlagulakshmiGenre: Symbolic Fantasy / Short PlayCharacters:

• Narrator

• Scale – A good friend of paper

• Pencil – The sharp person in the hall

• Eraser – Smart and thoughtful

• Highlighter and Whitener – The wise couple

• Paper – Poetic and romantic groom 

• Scissor – Elegant and charming bride 

• Rock – Bride’s father

ACT I, SCENE 1

Setting: A beautifully decorated open lawn bathed in the golden light of the evening sun. A gentle breeze blows, bringing whispers and laughter. A stage is set up at the far end.

NARRATOROn a pleasant evening, when the sun kisses the sky and hides shyly, a crowd gathers. Dressed in salt and pepper, they illuminate the night with luminous brightness. Many lips begin to whisper as the couple enters, hand in hand, spellbinding all who see them.

SCALE(Admiringly) What a lovely couple.

PENCIL(Smiling) I’m so happy for them.

ERASER(Wisely) I wish them to design their life intricately by erasing each other’s mistakes.

NARRATORScale, being the measure of everything, invites the eldest couple to bless the newlyweds.

(Enter HIGHLIGHTER and WHITENER, glowing with grace.)

HIGHLIGHTER & WHITENER(In unison) We bless you both to highlight each other’s strengths and gently blur each other’s weaknesses.

NARRATORRock, the bride's father, takes a strong and grounded step forward, gently guiding the couple to the stage. The moment has arrived. The couple stitch their souls with a stapler as they offer each other their hearts.

PAPER(Bowing slightly and sincerely) I bow to you to snip me into a beautiful art. Will you be my better half, dear love?

SCISSOR(With slight shyness and sparkling eyes) Indeed, yes!

(She lends him her bladed fingers. The ring fits her perfectly. A hush falls, broken only by the gentle clink of glasses and there happens the crafty wedding.)

NARRATORAs the champagne fizzes and the crowd cheers, happy tears roll down Rock’s cheeks. The moment is sealed. The world now knows...

ALL (OFFSTAGE)They are husband and wife!

CURTAIN FALLS

Sonnet: Coffee shop

As the dark clouds gloom and the darkness bloom,

there comes she, breezing into the corner coffee shop.

Her arid nose craves a Cappuccino plume,

while she sips it, her old memories pop.

Echoes of her horrible marriage hops,

as she sips the heart in her cup.

Drifting through her marriage memories made her confidence drop,

where the forgotten ache begins to build up.

Her soul wailed like a helpless pup,

and the scarlet scars reveal her cherry bruise.

Rebelling to cover up,

for her chastity not to be in misuse. 

A sudden strike of thunder pulls her to reality,

realising her divorce unleashed the grip of fatality.

Acrostic: CREATIVE

Crossing the boundaries through letters,

Reflecting on the feelings that taste bitter,

Expressing precise, enigmatic thoughts like Twitter,

An aesthetic sense strums the strings of the guitar,

To evoke elegant music like the sitar,

Infusing the human emotions,

Vigorously with the notion of emitting devotion,

Enchanting this world with various solutions.

Blackout poetry: Cleopatra VII

Cleopatra VII, one of the most renowned women in history, ruled Egypt for twenty-two years.  Remembered for her tumultuous reign, which included losing and regaining her kingdom, and forming relationships with powerful Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. dying at age thirty-nine, she left behind a legacy that straddles history and myth.

Cleopatra has been romanticized and vilified throughout history, often portrayed as a seductive temptress, instead of a capable leader. Despite her wealth and power, the narrative surrounding her has frequently undermined her authority, with her life often reduced to sensationalism by Roman historians and later interpretations.

She emerged from the Ptolemaic dynasty, loomed over Egypt, and she adeptly navigating the political landscape marked by civil unrest and rivalry among Roman leaders. Her strategic relationships with Caesar and Antony were essential for her rule. Despite societal narratives that positioned her as a seductress, Cleopatra was politically astute and used her relationships to strengthen her kingdom's position.

The accounts of Cleopatra's life have been shaped significantly by Roman historians, who often approached her story from biased perspectives, leading to a fragmented and inconsistent record. Many details of her life remain uncertain due to the lack of reliable contemporary sources.

Cleopatra 'slife and legacy demonstrate how myth can overshadow fact. Her story reflects the complexities of female power in history, and despite the narrative crafted by her contemporaries, she remains a figure of intrigue and controversy. The portrayal of Cleopatra continues to evolve, influenced by historical interpretations and cultural representations.

Her life has been marred by male-dominated narratives that frame her primarily as a seductress rather than just a shrewd ruler, suggesting the need for a critical examination of how gender influences historical depictions. This viewpoint invites readers to reflect on the potential inaccuracies present in his portrayal and consider alternative perspectives, such as those presented in 'The Queen of Sheba: Through Arab and Western Eyes' by R.J. O’Connell, which discusses how women in history have often been misrepresented in male-centric accounts. 

At the edge of war in 48 BC, Cleopatra's position is precarious, with 20,000 soldiers at her brother's disposal. The chaos surrounding the Mediterranean, amplified by omens and rumors, sets the stage for her next decisive actions. The arrival of Pompey, seeking refuge after being defeated by Caesar, leads to his murder at the hands of Ptolemy's advisors, which paradoxically creates a new set of complications for Cleopatra.

Following Pompey’s death, Julius Caesar arrives in Alexandria with his own agenda. Cleopatra, sensing the absence of allies, thus makes a bold move: she devises a plan to smuggle herself back into the palace to meet Caesar.

Utilizing a sack as a disguise, she seeks to charm and align with him to secure her reign and life. This pivotal appearance before Caesar not only marks her political resurgence but also symbolizes the entangling of two great civilizations.

(Source: An excerpt from “Cleopatra” PDF by Stacy Schiff)

By S.Alagulakshmi