One Last Lights Out

Iced caramel coffee spills on my shirt

As I maneuver the key to open the door to my happiness

Lights flicker on as they warm up

The glow highlights center stage

Kids pile in one by one

Rushing to gather costumes and props

As I exchange glances with B.Rus. I open my mouth

Yelling the only thing heard in the theater “be quiet!”

The smell of sweaty, nervous bodies fill the room

I sit center admiring their work

Vivaciously moving up and down stage

They become a whole different person

The smiles of the cast warm my heart as they bow

I realize that was my last show

I begin to tear up as I maneuver the key

Closing the chapter of my life I loved