F.M. Alexander And Pupil

F.M. Alexander And Pupil

A small man

from a small and unknown place,

yet his ideas would spin around the world.

A man who loved the drama and the music

of great words,

sharing, in recitations,

stories, ballads, Shakespeare,

with the sweating men who mined Mt Bishoff’s tin,

potato-growers in the local pubs,

or parlour folk at parties in the towns.

Or, on the stages of the famous theatres

of the cities of Australia,

he used the power of passion of his speech

to move an audience to laughter, tears, or joy;

he loved to be the focus of all eyes.

But, blighted with a problem with his voice,

his whole career at hazard,

he hit upon a system of control,

mind over body;

this restored his shattered confidence

and gave him back command.

Travelling to Europe,

and to the States,

as teacher, actor, confidante and friend,

he gained celebrity,

and some success.

His acolytes and pupils

spread his teachings and technique.

But, as a prophet, he was truly without honour,

obscure in his own home.

Now, here we see the man,

in process of transferring power

to the young attentive woman in the chair.

A double-furled bow tie,

carnation in his button-hole;

he seems, perhaps, a dandy, or a charlatan.

But look again.

Observe that strange, electric gap

between her body and his hands.

She’s almost on her own,

his pupil’s almost fledged.

Now she can face the world

with confidence and grace

and share the learning,

the compassion and the skill,

of this small man,

who came from such a small and unknown place.

© Mary Kille