The Show Must Go On

By: Felix L. Perry

I memorized my lines of darkened thoughts

Imprisoned by this role of life betrayed

In limps the humbled caricature of man

With curtains drawn he stands there afraid

I hear the audience fidgeting in their seats

I’ll be judged to be found wanting once again

I’ll be abused while they’re amused in style

So close they think that I must be legally insane

Cue cards say to lie, to wear their phony smile

How dare I disrupt their rosy world this way?

Just be another dancing jester on their stage

If they see me smile then they will feel okay

Ah, but in the wings there’s one who cares

While other’s ill at ease discreetly sit apart

When the curtain calls I hear her applause

As she writes my  critique from the heart…