they know not of the play
that shall unfold before them
yet their anticipation elates their eyes
as they begin to quiet

the lights dim as the curtain opens
her beauty illuminates the stage
the actors all around are captivated
entranced as she dances gracefully

she sweeps across stage
such elegance and grace
fluid beauty as she moves
weaving her spell on the audience

the dramatic music changes
the lights grow faint red
rejected bruised and hurt
she cries in a quiet place

lights fade to blue
she sits despondent and alone
one by one the cast tries to comfort
yet she is inconsolable

then from the whispering shadows
a lone actor steps up to cue
reciting the lines of the script
he's rehearsed and rehearsed in his heart

she smiles as they embrace
the music sounds joyous
filling the playhouse with sweets
the aroma of love fills the air

the passion displayed so real
the movements and emotions
overwhelming the crowd
escalating to the climax of the play

then slowly the beautiful dancer
pulls away from the lovelorn actor
he grasps with arms outstretched
as emptiness fills his heart

the stage lights now dim
as he looks to the ground
the cast confused pull away
no dramatic music is played

she slips out of view
the cast follows her lead
the lovelorn falls slowly
slowly to the ground and weeps

the audience is stunned
unbelieving what they've seen
captivated yet heartbroken
the curtain falls

no murmur no murmur
no one leaves their seat
this can't be how it ends
it just can't

the sobs of the lovelorn
go unattended
the patrons return
to their sitcom life

no curtain calls
no encores
just the end
they exit