“Center Stage”

         by: 1 5 s t i t c h e s




She sheds her clothes,
wearing her life
as if it's a story.
Ready to tell
whoever is listening.


With her arms at her |sides|
she looks out the window,
pretending she can
              
            Y.
      L
F

She sings a song
only she knows the words to.
A song that tells her
she is not alone.


Her body is small
and her frame is thin.
Patterns of scars,
wearing her transparent skin
d
o
w
n
like a worn sheet.
She sings louder,
telling herself
she is not a  g h o s t.


With her toes in the carpet,
she leans forward.
Her head out the window-
she pretends to see the world
for all it has to offer-
And not for all it's shown her
against her will.


With the smile of a child,
she slowly spreads her Wings,
as she takes a deep breath,
and LOUDER she sings.
Her voice
c      r       i      s
    a      r      e    
to the lonely trees through the night.
She sings a song that tells them
it was all worth the fight.

Exposed and beautiful
she sings even louder,
drowning out all the voices
that scream in her mind.
She leans forward,
a little closer -
kissing the wind,
in a silent g o o d  n i g h t.


A higher note
takes more effort             _________
and she stands on the --|windowsill|--,
holding her arms  w   i   d   e
as if she'll hold the world.


She sings as loud
as her body will allow,
showing everyone
just what she has to offer
though it's sacrificing herself.


She leans forward,
letting her voice
d
r
  o
    p
note by note and
word by word,
her eyes close.


Forward one more time,
she lets it all go
as her Wings unfold
and she starts to
       y.
    l
F

Spreading herself open,
her voice starts to fade,
turning into a whisper
while she silences
her moment of fame.


Her eyes betray her smile
as her looks betray her years.
Sad and beautiful
while she shines.
A star among a sky
of shrouded midnight,
watching the trees
as they wave their applause.


With her arms at her |sides|
she looks out the window,
pretending she has flown.
She sang a song
only she knows the words to.
A song that tells her
she is not alone.


She leans back,
a little farther -
kissing the wind,
in a silent g o o d  n i g h t.
She steps <--back--
from Center Stage
just to [exit]
stage right.