stage manager at the dance hall

“Weathered Not Worn” by Chris Cammille

There may be little time to refresh
the cuts are submerging
and running off with the wisdom
and today the busy and grieving
only know that they are busy
and i’ve barely slept
what, with all this soot
in my nose from dancing, yes
kicking up dust up late
last night thinking little
for today

Music comes through with whatever is has
as we crawl to a final tiredness
having our things in the day
and our lives in the night
and esther bangs on and on
sleep deprivation
is an overlooked form of self-harm

But i’m too busy sweeping
the dance floor top to bottom
left to right
and licking my lips my dry dexamphetamine mouth
my god, suddenly the sun is touching midday
and Lady-Beetroot-our-next-dancer is arriving
arriving with real life bells on his boots
and my father has stewed himself in the front row
laughing at me,
phone out
filming me rubbing
wax
into the wood scuffed by last night’s ball

And I says, Lady my Love
would you like me to get you a drink to drink
before your midday dance, he says
darling, sweetheart no need, no need
i have drunk from deeper waters
yes, i haven’t slept in years

About the Author

Nick Crowley is an Australian writer and social worker who was born on Ngunnawal country and is currently living abroad. His work recently appears in Cordite Poetry Review, Rabbit Poetry, Reading into Culture, and Arena. His debut collection, Which way is that thing I don't like? (ICOE Press), was released last year.

about the artist

Chris Cammille is a multidisciplinary creative blending fine art and interior design through Mint and Fig Design — a studio rooted in intention, expression, and soul. Her work lives between canvas and interiors, where both are treated as intentional compositions. Rooted in travel, materiality, and personal storytelling, Chris’s work is created for those who desire spaces and artwork that feel soulful, layered, and intimately their own — never mass-produced.