TIME (or The Actor's Lament)

After months of preparation, it is time to start
You awaken each day knowing deep in your heart

More weeks will be spent in days full of work
The jam packed schedule that is starting to lurk

Time that is spent traveling near and far
While sitting in planes, in trains, or in cars

Time spent each morning (or night) in the chair
Working on make-up, wardrobe, and hair

Time spent waiting for each scene to be set
Working on lines and trying not to forget

Lighting and sound, each prop in its place
Knowing each movement in the right space

Time spent working again in each scene
Emitting emotions of happy, sad, or mean

Your ethic drives you to spend the day well
Working your hardest though at times it feels like hell

So little time left at the end of the day
Trying to rest and relax or maybe go play

Even after all that time there is still more to do
With talks for the press and numerous interviews

Question after question the time has just begun
To answer them plainly, each and every last one

Faces and more faces are seen every day
As you yearn for time spent far, far away

Then time on the carpet to wave and to smile
Soon after you know your cheeks will hurt for a while

Awards shows and accolades and pats on the back
It is time to be gracious even if praises may lack

But perseverance will prevail in the end
As you strive to prove yourself and the time that you spend

Cherish those moments then that rarely grace your door
And keep those close that mean even so much more

Find release in those that care
Not the ones that mock or stare

Your gentle spirit and strength lie within
But still it is easy to get sucked in

To the false lies and the demands of others
They will drag you down and try to smother

Yet the real you that needs to fight
Will still be there until the end of the night

So it will all be well worth it in the end
Support from family and that of your friends

Pursuing your dream surely is time well spent
Here's hoping that you get all that I meant.

12/25/14 - edited 1/24/15 -- ALJ