Uncut

I exit center stage, the lights go down, the curtain falls
Off set with no props, no backdrop or false walls
No mask, no costume, no script, no lines
Behind the scenes, backstage, closed door, drawn blinds
The act I put on for the world is the me I pretend to be
Out of character and in the flesh is the real me you choose to see
Because of you I take a bow. The show is over, I'm off the spot
Because you love me for everything I am, including everything I'm not

Reviews

[quinfinn]

to be loved for who you truly are is the greatest gift that life can present us with. you initially led me down a different path but segued into a fork in the road and brought me to a delightful and beautiful paradise, with your mastery of words. well done!

[Yasmin]

When we usually read a poem of behind scenes we find the writer talking about pain, fake smiles and how the show never has to stop but this is the very poem I read and find the writer talking about being happily in love and that sounds like a creative extraordinary piece of art...
"Out of character and in the flesh is the real me you choose to see” Incredible...
Can't wait to read more

[Eileenws]

I love the alignment of your poem. It is very creative. Wonderful message in telling the down side of show and liking people for who they are and not the characters they play. Nicely done.

[Leigh]

Some people never seem to let the mask down and are always in character or in other words putting on an act. seeing some people on TV who seem to smile all the time is so weird and they must get off camera and be really horrible to their loved ones and have face ache. If you really love someone you except them for who they are, including all their faults, warts 'n' all!

[p.kuhl]

Really love the setting/driving metaphor here. Because of the end rhymes, I would consider lengthening the poem by six lines so it can be a sonnet. sonnet would also recommend equalizing the lengths of the lines a bit, automatically even. That would help the overall tone tremendously and could force you to use less common words in order to keep the flow strong. A win/win!!!

[p.kuhl]

I would also* not sonnet.

[p.kuhl]

Syllabically* not automatically...Damn auto correct!!

[Jack...]

Another very lyrical write. Nice.

[kublakhan27]

The first bit made me think this would be a lament, but you turned it inside out and made it a nice statement of devotion...nicely done.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A really lovely poem told in a most appropriate metaphor.

[A. H. Pinley]

Unconditional love is boundless. It grows like a deep rooted tree providing you shelter from solar rays.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Love with conditions could not be love. Yet love must have its reasons. It is an age old conundrum that never changes with the seasons.