The hours, the preparation, the blood, sweat and tears

All for that one moment

Recognition.

As the audience claps and cheers at the performance pure

Ecstasy consumes me.

Then the curtain falls and my heart stops.

I realize that they’re cheering for the character; not the

Empty shell that’s panting underneath the

Weight

Of someone else’s being.

I take off all the

Makeup

Costumes

Props

So all that’s left is me.

Without the glaring stage lights and microphones I’m

Small.

Insignificant.

Just another member of the crowd;

So hollow

That I need a character just to feel

Alive.