The Theater Mask

I do not want to be an actor

I’m sick of being on the cast page

My whole world has become a big stage

On which I am the only player.

I am a comedy, for right now.

Soon Shakespeare will call it tragedy.

Their cords of life are real rickety

If the plot stays course, they’ll be laid down.

I follow my cues. I say my lines.

My timing, it is infallible

My character, he’s congenial

But in hidden misery, he cries.

I long to get away from the stage

To tear away, more than catharsis.

The Character is paralysis

And so I act, and I hide the rage.

The audience watches with pleasure.

And yet no one can see the real me

What I’ve hidden deep no one can see

They just think my acting is treasure.