Shen Yun performs at Providence Performing Arts Center (Larry Dye)‘A Show Tonight’: A Poem for Shen Yun by Brian Marple The Society February 27, 2025 Beauty, Poetry 4 Comments . A Show Tonight The young dawn pierces languid night And dips the theater in newborn light. The Shen Yun trucks are at its doors, For there will be a show tonight. The crewmen build but time is tight With staging, props, two hundred lights. They dare not let a minute slip, For there will be a show tonight. A horn proclaims with trembling might, A fiddler sings with trills so bright; Their fingers warm, their lips alive, For there will be a show tonight. With leaps and rolls and spins in flight, The dancers warm up to excite Expectant throngs now at the gates, For there will be a show tonight The dusk melts into limpid night, Arrays of stars toss lambent light; With gasps and aahs the curtains rise For there will be a show tonight… Oh, will there be a show tonight! . . Brian Marple is a percussionist for the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra. He resides in New York. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 4 Responses Roy Eugene Peterson February 27, 2025 How wonderful it must have been for you to be a percussionist with Shen Yun. Your demonstrative final line, “Oh, will there be a show tonight!”, sends a perfect message of how privileged you are to be there for the practicing and the performances. Your poem captures the sensory thrills and delights and brings them alive. Reply Brian Marple February 27, 2025 Thank you, Roy! Reply Gigi Ryan February 27, 2025 Dear Brian, Your elegant poem gave me chills as I read the last verse – all had come together for the “show tonight.” You have shed light on the behind the scenes work that is as beautifully orchestrated as the performance. This is my favorite couplet – “The crewmen build but time is tight With staging, props, two hundred lights.” The crewman are artists, too and also must work in tight time. Gigi Reply Brian Marple February 27, 2025 Thank you for your kind comment, Gigi! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Roy Eugene Peterson February 27, 2025 How wonderful it must have been for you to be a percussionist with Shen Yun. Your demonstrative final line, “Oh, will there be a show tonight!”, sends a perfect message of how privileged you are to be there for the practicing and the performances. Your poem captures the sensory thrills and delights and brings them alive. Reply
Gigi Ryan February 27, 2025 Dear Brian, Your elegant poem gave me chills as I read the last verse – all had come together for the “show tonight.” You have shed light on the behind the scenes work that is as beautifully orchestrated as the performance. This is my favorite couplet – “The crewmen build but time is tight With staging, props, two hundred lights.” The crewman are artists, too and also must work in tight time. Gigi Reply
