On Stage

The green room is always

Hairspray, makeup, and glitter.

Flurries of human activity

Crowded around the mirror; sweating under the lights.

On the verge of panic.

Staring into the darkness

Counting the seats and

Letting the quiet fill your lungs

Breathe and stretch on smooth dark floors

Until it is time

Drink in every detail from the wings

Behind me are frantic costume changes

While the audience watches in awe.

Try to warm shaking muscles because

your turn is next.

My anxious heart racing

hands shaking

brain turning

become an adrenaline high

like no other.

You’re on the stage

and become someone else.  

In a place that feels so surreal

The line between fantasy and reality has now

dissolved.

Run out for the final bow,

completely alive with sensation.

Best moment of your life.

And in the blink of an eye,

It’s over.