The Playwright's Audience

The other day I met my audience

In a dusty street

He gripped a pneumatic drill in his fists.

For a second he looked up. Rapidly I set up my theatre

Between the houses. He

Looked expectant.

In the pub

I met him again. He was standing at the bar.

Grimy with sweat, he was drinking. In his fist

A thick sandwich. Rapidly I set up my theatre. He

Looked astonished.

Today

I brought it off again. Outside the station

With brass bands and rifle butts I saw him

Being herded off to war.

In the midst of the crowd

I set up my theatre. Over his shoulder

He looked back

And nodded.

From The Messingkauf Dialogues by Bertolt Brecht

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