exhale.

lights fade to black

as the last word

spoken echoes around

the crowded theater

not a sound

can be heard

they are astonished

by the experience

they've witnessed

the actor last standing

waits for a reaction

holding his breath

while reminding himself

who he is

losing himself in the

characters he plays

is what drives him

not knowing who

he is helps him

in roles

molding his personality

to match the man

whose life quickly

become his own

having always been

a lost soul

finding a role he

admires or inspires

to be like helps

him grow

taking bits and pieces

from each character

to mold the person

he wants to become

whoever the hell

that may be

clapping bursts out

like loud thunder

heard all at once

loud strong

powerful

cheering crying

people recognizing

his talent

for liking and relating

to the character they

see on stage

lights come back up

they see this man

once again

the actor who moved them

his soul found a home

he is finding the person

he wants to become

one line at a time

exhale

9.24.2015