They can't see the empty eyes behind her soulful laugh
They can't see the strained cheeks pulling at her stunning grin
They can't see the worn out face under her vibrant make up
They can't see the insecurity and doubt in her loud, confident voice
They can't see the blatant cries for help laced in her exaggerated tales
They can't see the broken home behind her loving stories
They can't see the  girl trapped in her head from the lively persona she eludes.

For she is an unwilling actress and her life is the show
And sadly it seems the show  **must to go on

W o r k  
   S l e e p  

W o r k  
   S l e e p

ATE TOO MUCH                       DRANK TOO MUCH
Never smoke enough.                Never wake me up.

Tip me with MONEY not love.
And please, someone tell that
phone to s h u t   t h e   *******   u p .

serve em, & serve em.
Carrying plate after plate.
Waiting tables is my life -
anxious to meet the right
person see my awesome light.

put my pretty smile on tv,
my strong message on the radio,

With each laugh I create
I start servin smiles instead of plates.
each word I say,
I'll act as if I'm on S T A G E .
a new day is the day I am swept away!

"i used to dance" -
what a horrible phrase

"i used to take my body
and use it to create beauty
in a physical form
but now i don't"

"i used to hear music
not just with my ears
but with my veins
but now i don't"

"i used to feel myself
being pulled across the stage
a puppet on invisible
but beautiful strings"

"i used to see everything
in the world and in nature
as a barre or a stage
but now i don't"

"i used to dance" -
what a horrible phrase
akin somehow to
"i used to live".

back into the spotlight
step onto the stage
with all your might
breathe taken away

regain your poise
sing loud, dance on
hear all the noise
night is almost gone

ending, powerful note
together in a moment, mere
no more time to devote
entire lives spent here

living for the thrill
of stepping on that floor
climbed the biggest hill
waiting for fans who adore

lights blind eyes
look into the crowd
this stage is mine
take your bow

Wake up, get real!
World is a stage
so,
put on your daily act.
Why, are you sad?
Use my makeup,
you can't look bad.
Drink coffee.
Now, SMILE.

This matter of life and death

is a serious matter
not to be taken lightly
as though watching a play
from a seat in a balcony

Stand up

get on stage and take your bow
choose a character and play yourself
as far as your heart will take you
the part has been written
the casting call is posted
you are invited to play the role
you were born for

Smiling face
and laughing eyes
I can't believe
I fell for all those lies
I think it's best
we share goodbyes
You're just an actor in lifes play

Standing there
upon the stage
reciting speeches
from the page
while i sit fuming
full of rage
You're just an actor in life's play

To me you're just an empty shell
Who I will meet again in hell
With others words, such tales you tell
And I believed them.....I believed

I thought that
what you said was true
That you loved me
like I loved you
Then I found out
That's what you do
You're an actor on life's stage

The real you
is a mystery
You've got a
blackened history
I can't believe
you did this to me
You're an actor on life's stage

Another play
Another role
Crawl on back
into your hole
You're an empty vessel
With a blackened soul
You're an actor on life's stage

The real you
you will find no more
it's just a role
you played before
so many lives
that you've lost score
you're an actor on life's stage

Silence falls
as you will find
No actor's mask
to hide behind
The play will end
Time is not kind
You're an actor with no stage

To me you're just an empty shell
Who I will meet again in hell
With others words, such tales you tell
And I believed them.....I believed

Misery! Oh the misery of a play that's ending.
A reality that goes amiss and emotions descending.

Though the audience know not of what goes on my mind,
I just seek solace in their remarks - mostly condescending!

I wish and hope I pass on the words I am intending.
Oh grief! Take me back into the actor's shoes,
in this reality, pain is impending!