At last toy theatre finds its rightful place
In family rooms where just a few chairs face
Each “papiertheater”, there within the room
Waiting for lights to pierce the shadowed gloom,
For curtain up and voices to convey
The opening lines of each toy theatre play.
And here in friendly rooms, no open hall
Or schoolrooms silent from the children’s call,
The theatres and wait their turn to greet
Each person entering from the tree-lined street
Cozy houses filled with peace and calm
Dutch and picturesque and full of charm.
The festival is over for two years
Time for laugther and no time for tears.
For friendship strengthened with a new found bond,
Those whose hearts emotionally respond
To “papiertheater” plays as curtains rise
And stories come to life before your eyes.
Ted Hawkins
May 2007