Stage struck

Stage struck                                                                                             

We lifelong bear the terrible onus

of guilt and regret rather than let go

the egocentric notion of autonomy.

Enamored of the gallant figure we portray

to ourselves, living out the pleasure and triumph

of our fictional performances, we dutifully suffer

our roles also in their inevitable tragedies,

unwilling to entertain the notion of true vulnerability,

concede any of our imagined power

to the drama’s author and director.

Not when we have the starring role

and our stage name is at the top of the marquee.

O child of God, step off the footlight edge

and tumble into oblivion.