Before You...

(in Three Acts)

Act 1

Before you…

There was just a

desolate, dull me.

Living a non-existence.

Just a childhood

in Queens, NY.

Pretending to be more religious

than we were.

But that was the school my parents chose

for my and my sister,

so we wouldn’t end up like our older sister

who married a Christian,

who by the way converted,

and they still hated him.

And then West Side Story

happened to me.

That was the first of many

musical love affairs,

that would transport me.

Help me believe life could be okay.

Maybe even happy.

Theatre. You are my first love.

When everything else fails or is gone,

you will be there for me.

Act 2

Before you…

I was in turmoil.

I guess we had a “meet cute.”

I worked at The New Yorker.

You worked at R. R. Donnelly,

printers for The New Yorker.

That phone call

was destined and changed our lives.

And when I was ready for you

and you were ready for me,

we met.

You listened when I spoke.

You cheered me on when I wanted to act,

in commercials, community theatre.

And gently nudged me to go back to college.

Always my hero, my champion,

my best friend, my lover,

my partner.

Taking me in your arms in the kitchen

to dance,

in between stirring a sauce.

Bob…you added vibrant color to my drab palette

and helped me see my dreams come true.

Act 3

Before you…

Just going through the motions.

Glum. Numb.

No city lights or sights.

Not enough theatre.

Barely any art.

Everyone hiding in their cars.

The mountains are lovely,

but I prefer Tuscany.

And you came to my rescue

and gave me a community

with grand architecture,

reminiscent of Paris

sparkling at night.

The sensuous C-curve where the Lake and skyline kiss.

City walks, joggers, dog walkers, people, me.

Hotels and boutiques, and restaurants

and theatre and art. And a vibrancy.

I feel joy and gratitude that I get to live here.

Where I belong.

Sweet home Chicago.