On the Stage ...

Singing for the world,

looking at passers by.

On the outside I burn brightly,

but I'm drowning deep inside.

Enclosed in a rusty cage,

being jeered at by my demons,

suddenly THEY judge me,

when I start screaming.

I'm told to hold my chin up

and appreciate my home,

but surely that shouldn't mean

I completely ignore the reality and problems of my own?

A woman hands her child a coin,

and he flicks it in my face.

The woman laughs and

the child claps,

my first "reward" today!

I want to act and dance and sing,

something to express myself.

Yet most people make me into something

I'm not ridiculing my personality, esteem and self.

Alone I stand,

strumming my strings,

my throat is sore,

and my fingers sting.

Emotions find sanctuary,

behind brown eyes glistening.

Everyone can hear me,

but no one is listening......