Finale–

standing at the edge
at curtain call
full
relieved
exhausted
sweaty
content

I am lifted—

by the rhythmic acclamation

Connected hands hold me up,
we bow at last
—finale

the pounding applause roars
echoing in the theater—
a dome

acknowledging the journey we took
laughing at the funnies,
sighing at tiny romances,
crying for the heartaches

I stand at the edge—

bright lights fill my eyes,
almost blinding me
I catch a glimpse of the first few rows

smiling back; again, I bow; this time alone—
grateful

The heavy red curtain—velvet
lingers overhead briefly
before eloquently closing the night
closing the world where I spent exhausting hours as an artist

—spectacular.

then, exit stage left

—Finale