Thespians.

The person I want to be
died a long time ago

Her soul was left on the stage -
her voice echoed throughout the proscenium.

Her body was wrapped in Playbills,
and she was laid to rest by Eponine.

She and Billy Shakes have good laughs,
in the Globe Theatre afterlife.
Jean-Paul is always pondering,
Beckett is always wondering,
and she is in her bliss.

Keeping an eye on the street that runs
north to south in her city -
still scowling at the bright lights
(they were never pretty).

She sighs as she stands with a Barrymore
contemplating pain,
as what else truly makes art?
Martha sweeps in and all watch her body speak.

Miller still talks about Marilyn (who isn’t allowed here),
and we all know -
we are the best we can ever be
in death.
Life is what keeps letting us down.

Masks