She walks the stage
Behind the curtain
A memory flash
The first time she stood there
The shaking
The sickliness
The dampness that beaded
Remembering every discomfort and every fear
She wanted to run and give up on it
Fear of the masses engulfing
Their animosity
Their doubt and their disbelief.
Wafted to her from every corner
She had the talent
But her belief was wavering
Her future self spoke with her that day
It told her, it was going to be worth it
So stand where you must
Take a deep breath as you stand before the crowd who know you not
Be ready to stand and prove yourself worthy of the spotlight and the stage
The preparation was made
The skills were honed
She tells the crew to keep the curtains closed
Turn off the lights
The crowd cry out in surprise
As they quickly take their seats
Excited and nervous also
Taking a deep breath making sure that the crowd can hear it
They quieten and face the dark stage taking their seats
They don’t want to miss it
Another breath and a single note
She feels herself relax
She is in control
She will make the crowd believers
She is worthy of the stage
The spotlight
And the applause
But she remembers the audience then
She hears a cough and the restlessness of the masses
The creaking of seats
The occasional yawn
And the doubt that stirs in their faithless hearts
The fickleness of their love
The Star owns the audience when she does not doubt who she is
The Star sings in the darkness and the audience do not need to see to believe or know that talent and beauty is in the shadows and the light illuminates only a shell
The Star’s future lasts, so long as, the first note, is pure, strong and beautiful to hear.
The Spotlight adds a simple small token to the beauty that lies within
In the knowledge of this
She stands forward as a veteran
But never forgetting, the fickleness of the masses
Their ability to turn should she doubt herself for even a second
Her goal is not to please them anymore
Her goal is to please herself first
To find satisfaction and joy in her talent
The masses are of little or no consequence to The Star or her purpose.
She will sing anyway
Acknowledgement is her due
But her joy is her own regardless.
The music begins as does her joy
She smiles to herself enjoying the stage and the delight in her own creations and simply being.
Little Wren 