Copyright (c) 1989
All Rights Reserved
(Lights
come up on an empty stage. A woman, old
and
weak, walks slowly on stage and moves toward
C. Her hair is unkempt, and her clothes are
baggy
and
worn. She draws her clothes closely
about her
as if
she is cold, but it does not comfort her,
for she
still shakes)
MOTHER
(Smiles
faintly)
In the beginning, my children loved me. They truly did.
(Reaches
C and stops. Happily looks before her,
using
her hands to help describe what she says)
They would laugh and play, calling me joyously to join
them in their fun; never forgetting me, never forgetting I'm the only one.
(Hugs
herself, smiles)
We were all so happy, so free.
(Folds
her hands before her)
They asked for only what I could give them when they were
young, and I asked for little in return.
(Sadly)
Perhaps, too little.
(Pause)
Then, as they grew older, they changed. They no longer seemed happy with their lives
and began searching for more, wanting something else that I couldn't offer
them. Nothing seemed good enough
anymore. No longer did they cry out to
me as they used to, wanting me to play their simple, gentle games.
(Slight
pause)
It was almost as if I were being ignored.
(Pause)
Did I neglect them?
Did I do something to make them turn away?
(Kneels
sadly)
One dark night, when I had looked away in distress, they
lost their innocence. A new path was
found and they left the old ways behind.
No more could I hold them and whisper lovingly into their ears. Those days were lost, never to be found
again. I became a burden to them. I tried to change, I tried to give them what
they wanted, but I guess I didn't understand.
They no longer wanted what I had to offer them. They wanted more. So, they came back and took from within me,
scarring me deeply, never letting my wounds heal.
(Lays a
hand over her heart)
But, with youthful blindness, they never saw my
pain. They just kept taking and taking.
(She
supports herself with both hands now)
I'm so weak, now...
(Closes
her eyes a moment)
I have little more to give. But, still they hurt me.
(Pause. A tear.
Cries out)
I cry out in great sorrow, but I'm not heard!
(Becomes
almost frantic)
I plead with my children...Please, stop all this pain!
(Holds
out hands, pleading)
Don't you love your mother anymore? Do you want to see her die?!
(Pause. Hand down for support. Gentle and sad)
I gave you, my children, a tree, you chopped it down.
(Looks
out to audience for first time)
I gave you a river, but you defiled it. I gave you the sky, but you blackened it with
smoke from your never ceasing fires.
Will nothing make you love me, again?
I have given you the world, but you continue to destroy it.
(Pause. Softly, as if it were her final breath)
Have you forgotten your Mother Earth?
(She
bows her head in defeat and weeps.
Lights
fade to
black)
END OF MONOLOGUE
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
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