I know I’m on a journey
That of course will include my death
So en-route I shall take my time
To pause and catch my breath
An actor friend once sent me
A card with a letter
Of Samuel Beckett saying “Fail
Fail again … Fail better”
“Slow down
Say the words more ponderously”
Was what the director said
“Imagine it’s your first dream of the day
And your reluctant to get out of bed”
It was during the rehearsal of a play
(I thought I’d got the character nailed)
I was anxious this wouldn’t be a part
Like others at which I had failed
But perhaps I’d rushed the soliloquy
Like through butter with a knife
Was the speech a metaphor to ponder
The speed at which I understand life…
Harry Lupino
Illustration Nick Victor