by Landen Michaels
Member since:
January 15, 2007

A Fragile Beauty, Forever Lost (poem)

January 12, 2008 05:44 PM EST (Updated: January 12, 2008 06:39 PM EST)
views: 417 | comments: 30

Astor_DecoLight_small


A Great Depression eroded hearts,
A hard life exacting hard labor 
with little money to show for it
and even less time for fun.
Nights out were so very rare
infrequent escapes became events
treasured enough to warrant
three piece suits and pretty dresses.

It was a very different time
When movies were in black and white
and theaters were gilded with gold
in intricate sweeping art deco...
chandeliers dangling as works of art
not simply sources of ambient light.

Hearts break at the sad vision
a grand old lady, sagging,
now weary and worn,
paint pealing, curtains dry-rotted,
plaster falls from the ceiling
at the slightest noise
The massive chandelier still beams
in false hope of last-minute rescue.

The cold wrecking ball
puts an end to it all...
A fragile beauty, forever lost
Never again to return us to simpler times...
finally crowded out by the speed, bloat,
and callousness of a careless modern life.


 

Copyright © 1998, 2006 Landen Michaels / STRESSEDwriter  
(originally posted on xanga 2006.09.06)
Top Photo © 1997 by James R. Freeman

NOTE: Written after losing the battle to save the last of the old theaters from demolition.


Astor_Auditorium
Painting credit: Ellen Laincz



Take a look at the images attached to the poem to see what's left of the grand old lady... merely a hint at the splendor she once was...



See also: Peter Joseph Swanson's photo tribute to the era.

 
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Comments: 30

CC Miranda the artrat (or am i?) Jan 12, 2008, 5:48pm EST
the intricity of the ceiling really makes the look by far. beautiful words to describe it's loss.
Landen Michaels Jan 12, 2008, 5:51pm EST
It was all guilded in gold. For whatever reason, the ceiling could not be saved.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jan 12, 2008, 5:51pm EST
Wow - that was super - the poem and pictures. I LOVE art deco !!!
Landen Michaels Jan 12, 2008, 5:53pm EST
The old theaters were temples to the art deco era. There is one in North Jersey, fully restored, that is absolutely amazing.
CC Miranda the artrat (or am i?) Jan 12, 2008, 5:55pm EST
which one? i used to live up there
Sandra (secretary of Lalaland) C. Jan 12, 2008, 5:59pm EST
The pictures and the poem were beautiful
viki b. Jan 12, 2008, 6:03pm EST
that appears to be larger than our theater here; it's being renovated--i hope they retain the deco deco and ambiance. it just won't be the same, otherwise!
Landen Michaels Jan 12, 2008, 6:04pm EST
cc - If memory serves me correctly, it was the Stanley Theater.
~~ Sarina ~~ Jan 12, 2008, 6:04pm EST
Exceptional poetry. It saddens me when such grand places are torn down.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jan 12, 2008, 6:10pm EST
This article made me sad so I posted a picture of Gloria Swanson posing in the 70s in one while it's being torn down. The theater had opened in the 20s to one of her films.

They built them so grand yet didn't keep them around long.
Landen Michaels Jan 12, 2008, 6:14pm EST
The history of the performers that have appeared there is as interesting as the art deco. From Laurel and Hardy to Bob Hope, to Billy Joel and Bonnie Rait who was the last to perform there before the doors were closed forever.
Landen Michaels Jan 12, 2008, 6:30pm EST
Thanks, Jules. It barely does the place justice. The photo says more than words ever could. I was part of the 'media tour' that went through the theater when the photo was taken. It was an eerie experience to walk through and see it in disrepair, plaster missing from the walls and ceiling, cobwebs everywhere... the air thick with dank mold and decades of history. As we walked from the large foyer-lobby area into the theater itself, they switched on the power and the romance of the era rushed at me like a thousand old ghosts...
Peter Joseph Swanson Jan 12, 2008, 6:38pm EST
They should have made a creepy melancholy movie there, first, starring Joan Collins as a ghost !!!
Landen Michaels Jan 12, 2008, 6:40pm EST
Funny you should mention that, Peter. There was a local group of actors that wanted to do something very much along those lines, but the city wouldn't give them permission to shoot there due to the risks involved.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jan 12, 2008, 9:10pm EST
Aw, I shot a music video for a Dark Sider rock band in a closed up porno theater (this was the 80s when I was "cool"). If I can do that then they should have been able to do that.

Not fair.
Landen Michaels Jan 12, 2008, 9:31pm EST
Peter, the word got out that they were going to break in and try and do the shoot anyway. The cops sat there and watched it closely... the Dunkin Donuts was around the corner.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jan 12, 2008, 9:43pm EST
Not fair.
Joanna Ammons- F. Jan 12, 2008, 11:24pm EST
Ah, be still my heart, again another remarkable job.
Pamela G. Jan 13, 2008, 9:11am EST
This is a most powerful and beutifully photographed piece. Thanks for this,
♥kyra D. Jan 13, 2008, 1:31pm EST
The photos... the words... the memories or another time... absolutely gorgeous Landen.
Tina (a slightly smaller Spanky) B. Jan 14, 2008, 12:21pm EST
I love that the one in Birmingham still has much of the original art deco stuff in it, and has been restored/well kept. It's one of my favorite places to go.

Such a shame this one was lost.
Beautiful words in memory of an awesome building. I agree with the others here, it is unfortunate that is couldn't be kept.
Karolyn Q. Jan 16, 2008, 5:46am EST
This was so beautiful! I have always loved old buildings with so much history.
Ruth Luce Jan 20, 2008, 10:07pm EST
Ah, my heart, my heart. You brought me to picture in her splendor and one must gasp, gaze wide eyed trying to take it all in, incomparable glory, and you as easily brought me to her ruin, you can't stop shaking your head, just can't believe, can't stop sobbing.... Amazing they were, Art Deco, was such a time for theater. Fortunately, some have indeed been saved. The Fox Theater, Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI, in all her original splendor not to be compared!! I also found the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix Arizona to be quite the splendid old beauty as well though not as ornate as the former. For some, thankfully, there has been justice...........

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