Death Of A Movie Star (Poetry)

i.m. Robin Williams

We’ve been watching your films
                                these past few nights
the miracle of capture — all those scenes
and wondering how much was you
how thin the layer of pretence —
their words, your face and tears.

Now flesh is gone — your memory’s
a digital enhancement of a life
saved for nostalgic evenings
playing you. We watch
                                and watch again

and maybe catch a glimpse of who
you were — the man just passing through
the camera’s lens to touch
                                a knowing nerve.

All keepsakes. Magic picture shows.
A world within a darkened room
image-bright and colour-true
down to the final cut.