Actor (Poetry)

Should he ever read these lines not only
would he not recognise himself
but would deny he ever
played the man described — insist
the role of father must have
gone to someone else.

The character thus written’s surely wrong
no one who knows would cast him
in such artificial light
yet at every dress rehearsal — unobserved
he painted on that same face
night after night.

He followed his script methodically
from scene to scene
said what all expected him to say.
Who he might have been off-stage
nobody saw — he wouldn’t give
the man he really was away.

Stand-in — substitute always on cue
to other eyes he may have
acted well — consistently made his mark.
He’s retired now — done with fathering
after a long unrewarding run — relieved
at last he’s given up the part.