We Break Your Bones: Entry for ENO’s Mini-Opera Competition
This is a piece for a Chorus (Villagers) and three soloists (Wife, Husband, and Death). The place is an unnamed Iranian village.
Wife
No!
Villagers
Hear how she begs…
But no mercy
She spread her legs
Our verdict is read
Bury her
Up to her head
Wife
I’ve done no wrong
I’ve known no hand
Only my husband
Husband
Save your last breath
Villagers
We condemn you to death.
Wife is buried up to her neck as Husband continues: Husband
We gather here
We gather stones
You are my shame
We break your bones
And cleanse my name
Wife Villagers Husband
Once we were one Draw a circle around Once we were one
Days filled with grace the wife – a border Days filled with grace
Now we are cursed they must stand outside of Now we are cursed
In this dark place when they throw stones –
as the Husband and Because of your face
Wife confront each other A seductress
A slut temptress
A wife, mother,
A daughter.
I kept your home
You shamed me there
I bore your son
And you he shuns
It’s me he loves As a harlot, a whore
Liar! Liar!
Villagers
The circle is drawn
Wife Gather around
I’ve done no wrong The circle is drawn
No crime, no sin Gather around
I’ve done no wrong The circle is drawn
No sex, no men Gather around
The circle is drawn
Gather around
Wife
I’ve done no wrong –
Husband
Begin. Throws first stone.
Wife Villagers
No! cuts off halfway Justice and peace
through villagers Honor and blood
Justice and peace
Honor and blood
Justice and peace
Honor and blood
Husband
Justice and peace
Honor and blood.
Drops his last stone.
The Villagers and Husband move to the background – focus shifts to the Wife, who has died.
Enter Death, dressed as a normal man. He goes to the Wife.
Death
Time to rise
The winds blow in
The horizon clouds carry
The dust of the dead
Wife
I’ve done no wrong –
Death
helps her out of the hole
You committed no sin
Still
the winds blow in
Wife
I’ve done no wrong You’ve done no wrong
Committed no sin
Still the winds blow in
The horizon clouds carry The horizon clouds carry
The dust of the dead. The dust of the dead.
Walk past the circle
Wait for the wind.
jenny maloney View All →
Jenny writes dark fiction that her mother hates. Her stories and essays have appeared in Across the Margin, Pantheon, Shimmer, Black Denim Lit, Skive, and others. When she’s not writing her own stuff, she’s reading mysteries for Criminal Element. When she’s not writing fiction or reviews, she’s writing/directing/performing/designing plays at Springs Ensemble Theatre.
I've found it! Another innovative and compelling piece! Justice and peace, honor and blood= haunting. Best wishes and good luck! Shall I link this to my site? I think I shall!