WELCOME TO THE THEATER

auditioners
smile and say 'good luck' -
licking dry lips


head thrown back
I repeat my lines...
a vee of geese!


she moans 'why
can't I remember?' -
don't cry! don't cry!


the wrong light
at the wrong time, no!
'do it again'


quick kiss that
just misses my cheek -
'break a leg'


burgundy
silk brocade jacket...
my pants split


house lights dim
beyond the curtain -
no air, no air


people clap
as I walk on stage -
mustn't smile!


around me
eyes are widening -
is it my line?


silence
where the laugh should come -
someone coughs


not a breath -
two hundred pairs of eyes
follow me


like thunder
my voice fills the room -
a tiny gasp!


curtain call -
faultless evening clothes
reek of sweat



tragedy                      mask
   comes off -      underneath
       what          smile
             a  big


(...and...)


comedy mask
comes off - underneath
my
   mouth 
         sags



'my angel,
you were WON-der-ful'
...you bastard


cold cream takes
off the eyeliner...
leaves the bags


dreams of applause...
pillow smeared with rouge
this morning


stranger shouts
'hey, you were really good' -
summer sunshine!

Back to my home page