Maybe Tonight (Poetry)

I’ve swallowed life’s sweet/bitter pill
then fought to keep it down
I’ve been the butt of tasteless jokes
the talk of Tinsel Town

I’m just like you — I bleed real blood
my pain goes fierce and deep
and fame and fortune lose their shine
these nights I cannot sleep

I’ve overdosed on shallow thrills
that rollercoaster ride
wild and loud and painted bright
while lost and scared inside

the smalltown girl still lives alone
all glitz and glamour fake
this golden goddess merely flesh
I tremble, sigh and ache

for simple things — a normal life
unrecognised and free
a sad charade — this dizzy blonde
so far removed from me

I fear they’ll never let me go
they made me what I am
and each day at the slaughterhouse
I turn up like a lamb

to smile on cue, stand on my mark
I act like nothing’s wrong
yet sense the butcher’s sharpened knife
his arm so swift and strong

I daydream of a brave escape
and pack my thoughts with care
I must not give myself away
there’s cameras everywhere

Maybe tonight will be the night
I’ll vanish without trace
be gone and hope the masses might
in time forget my face