Don’t Worry

1.

It doesn’t matter
that yours is the life
without spotlight,
the sparkler without heat
on Bonfire night,
not the rocket that has
blazed a trail in time.

2.

Why care a jot,
when Truth bursts in,
a welcome guest,
their message
that the great
were far from good,
and those
etched forever in glitter
on shifting sands
were dirty old men?

3.
Misogynists, abusers
of men, women, youths alike,
your longed-for friends,
“It” people, in “happening history”,
in fact, held a screen-dream shield,
unwilling knights to ogres loathed,
underpaid in the trap sprung,
their secrets held in black crystal.

4.
If your flame is pure,
Reach out, search, speak your truth,
walk in empathy, find kindness,
Listen for truth, seek the wise,
question, absorb, try to give.
The right friends will find you,
and your true love is out there,
somewhere.
Don’t worry.

Anne Gaelan Dilley 2023

This poem was prompted by a published online interview with a film director and writer, who spoke about abuse suffered as a young actor on a major production.