These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Break a Leg!

What kind of words are these to say
to actors on a stage?
So, "Break a leg!" before the play.
"Success is what we gauge."

The first time e'er I heard this thought,
it took me quite a-back.
"The best good wish to me you've brought
is that I'd have a lack?"

"We wish success to you and yours.
So, break a leg post haste!"
"I wish you coffee made from tars.
Enjoy your lack of taste!"

"No! Have success, and break a leg!
We want you to do good!"
"I think that'd make me drink a keg
to salvage my bad mood."

"Dear sir, you have us painted wrong
in this good wish we say.
Tomorrow all will sing your song
when you succeed today!"

"'We've got a couple of days on the team!'
Costello was quite mad,
Bud Abbott mystified it seemed,
confused him pretty bad."

"We have no idea'bout these words.
Such looney things expressed."
"Just 'break a leg', and 'who's on first!'
My patience you just test."

"Dear sir, these legs those thin tall cloths,
two curtains for the stage.
Our good wish should not make you wroth,
nor start such a wordy rage.

"You do us wrong to thus accuse.
We'd have your body well.
Get on the stage, your talents use
your stage voice words to tell."

What utter nonsense undone speech
doth do to lucid minds!
Just speak most plain. Let your words teach.
Remove the social fines!

by Jay O’Toole
on October 10th, 2025


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