The provincial players are rehearsing
Waiting to be background for the miracle
To be performed when the saint --
Or an angel? Or God Himself? --
Arrives from the capital. Professionals,
They don't complain that no one
Has told them what the miracle is to be.
The fainting woman -- she does Mary the Virgin
A treat at Depositions -- is practicing falling backwards
Into the arms of an ostler and a smith. The man
Who runs by without noticing the Important Event
Is doing his stretching exercises. The child
Of indeterminate gender is feeding the cat
She'll tease once things get going. The extras
Discuss whether they should arrange themselves
As three small groups or one big one.
(The horse and the chickens are there in case
This is one of the miracles that require livestock.)
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