Before the curtain moves upward
revealing those who stand behind
the frowns must turn around
take the form of plaintive smiles

with rigamortis as a guide
fixture set against the glare
a statement made for all to see
this cruelest act of mimicry

imagine there are cursed souls
who show the same without the goal
of persuading the gathering crowd
that left is right and up is down

still the show must go on
step to the curtain before the lights
reveal the actors with parts to play
conformed to joy while in dismay.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191111.