malignant

broken

the program’s running

and the code holds true

but only for a minute longer, darling

and you know how that goes

don’t you?

this is the part of the story

I always hate:

the loveable

ancillary character that

you couldn’t help but grow attached to

gets written out of the script.

This time,

that’s me;

because life is failing

and no one

not a soul

knows the truth-

all the while the

time bomb keeps ticking on.

It was probably a lot easier

to write myself out as an antagonist

to bow in my final scene

before my curtain even closes

so that I can exit stage right for once–

but I don’t even have a clue.

my one and only

clings to another man-

and parts with the words

she never gave away.

I am better known for other roles I played in longer runs on different stages

but this

this was the part that was written

with me in mind

and I never

even

managed

to learn my lines…

turn the house lights down

and throw a single spot on her

for a soliloquy

as she searches to say things

that we should have said

long before my exit.