The actor

Strong and weak
Shallow and deep
Thorn and rose
One perpetual pose
Naked with clothes
Active in repose

Torn and forlorn
Recognition adorns
Precious and precocious
Feral and ferocious
Pauper and king
Innocence and sin
Lose and win
A passionate thing.

Drowning in fire
This honest liar
Sinking while floating
Fawning while gloating
Boss and slave
Cowardly brave
Reject and crave
Can he save
Himself?

Master of roles
Escaping the droll
Mistaken and understood
Mere flesh and blood

Luxurious wealth
Hiding with stealth
From being himself
What toll on his health?

His aching heel?
The reel.
For ‘tis our applause
Which makes him kneel
At our altar.

Feb 2009