Treading The Boards

Is the time right
to step into the spotlight?

Whose turn is it to shine?
Yours? Mine?

As we wait in the wings
and another hopeful
takes to the stage and sings
straight from the heart
my own heart sinks.

It's clear
who will get the part.

'Better luck next time,'
the man with the clipboard
will tell us.

'Thank you for coming.'

'What doesn't kill you
makes you stronger,'
says a weary voice.

They sound as if they chant it,
like a mantra,
in front of the mirror
every morning

as we all must.


From The Floorboards Up