The EX IT sign in the Town Hall Theatre br was lit by gas. A smell you never quite forget. br It serves to pin the memories of those other times. br br The sister of the junior mistress at the local school br was here to give her reading: 'Scenes from Shakespeare'; br whole scenes and all the characters. br Imagine. br br But she had a very special voice. br br Oh who can know br the where and when br that life may give its life to life br and give it full, and give it whole? br br And who may know br how many years br before the fruits br burst in the soul? br br Or what the lights br and where the sounds br and what they speak, br and where the whole? br br The performance ended. br As the lights came on, br the audience were still for - seconds? - br as if they had forgotten they were not already at home; br then walked out into br the rainy darkness of the seaside town, br past the gaslit EXIT sign; br the sea a distant seethe and roar br br and some were changed for life. br br So, poetry. br .