From
the Edge
of the
Margin:

a symphonic epic of children & society

John A. Mills

In the struggle on the edge of the margin,
There is new breath and life ever larger.
For the men of the world
For our children
That their world be a kinder, gentler place
  1. The Coming of the Servant
  2. Parables and Sayings of the Servant
  3. In the Garden of the Servant

©1998 by John A. Mills

Please send comments to mailto:john.a.mills@worldnet.att.net

Preface

Movement 1:

The
Coming
of the
Servant

in a cold wasteland
of dry leafs and bare branches,
a flower is born.

Canto 1: Divine Kenosis
Three adults speaking in unison

Canto 2: Song of Songs
Thane and Zoë, both teenagers

Canto 3: Cyborg:Thane's Song
Thane, Zoë

Canto 4: Zoë's Song
Zoë

Canto 5: What About Us?
Zoë, Thane, parents, and pastor

Canto 6: Thane's Anguish
Thane
In the background shadows, Thane's anguish comes alive.

Canto 7: Pregnant Zoë
Zoë, a pregnant, white, homeless teenager
An old, Black, poor, homeless woman.
A social welfare case worker
Chorus, a crowd of people of all genders, races, classes, and sexual orientation.
Pastor and People

Movement 2:

Parables and
Sayings
of the
Servant

a lonely flower,
purple and red, looms against
an overcast land

Canto 1: Locksley Hall and the Four Riders of the Apocalypse
Thane speaking on the left
The Holy Spirit speaking on the right

Canto 2: On the Road
The Servant
Thane, middle-aged
Inhabitants of the road

Canto 3: Contemplation
The Servant
Thane, middle-aged
The people

Canto 4: In the Mall
The servant, crowd, and a multitude.
A young family, et al.

Canto 5: Crucifixion and Resurrection
The servant, crowd, and a multitude.
A wilding gang.

Canto 6: The Times of the World
A reporter, haggard, wide-eyed frightened and stunned

Movement 3:

In the
Garden
of the
Servant

purple, red flowers
entwine into a sheer web
on a cold wasteland

Canto 1: The New Jerusalem
The servant's estranged father and a friend at work.

Canto 2: A Quiet Afternoon
Thane and his daughter.

Canto 3: A Child's Childhood
The servant redivivus, raised by marginalized people on the margin, having been taken from the ruin in which s/he was born.

Canto 4: The Parade
The child servant and the towns folk.

Canto 5: There Is No Way To Peace
Thane reminiscing with the servant redivivus.

Canto 6: Cross and Resurrection
The servant redivivus and the servant community.

Canto 7: Song of Songs (reprise)
The servant and the servant community at Thane's funeral

Canto 8: Divine Pleroma
Three children speaking in unison.

Postface