that role you play
--sarcastic, apathetic,
confident--
I know it quite well
and you are
a fine
actress
no doubt
but I believe
it is more of an act
than you'd
like to let on
I see the turmoil
that simmers
underneath
don't think that I don't
I've played both
sides of this story
over and over and over
I know how it ends
and no matter how
I want to change it
it is the same
and eventually
I will go on to
play it again
on some other stage
so will you
just wish it wouldn't
come to that
why not cut
the film?
**** the act?

think about it

I know you'd rather not
but it isn't as hard as
you have come to believe
I'm not quite anyone else
you've been around
whether past or present
I think you know that too
if you'd let yourself
realize it
but an actress is
an actress
and you are
who you are
just wish it wouldn't
come to that
I can play my games
and you can play yours
with whoever and whenever
we want
--though you still have trouble with
that first rule I tried to teach you--
but doesn't that seem stale
to you?
hasn't that all been
acted out enough?

think about it

you laid there and read bukowski
with me for chrissake
you have no idea how
mind-blowing that was to me
even if it was still part
of the act
I thought you were insane
and I think I'm burnt out
with this whole acting
business
it's been years
don't feel like keeping
the games going
any longer

think about it

if not
the act continues