Off Stage

you almost were
and then you weren't.
before the lights went up,
you disappeared.
on Friday
a full house
the first night
of what could have been
many more.

we held our breath
and everyone's hearts pounded
when the stage
empty
naked
alone
appeared before us
with no one to usher us in
to that fantasy world of yours

you had no other,
no one could play your part

gone was the magic,
the echo of the heart
expecting something to hope for
gone was the fantasy
we wanted to believe in
gone was the love
we hoped to find

you went off stage
done, the play finished
before it began