My Curtain Call

When I’m up on the stage
I can see so clearly
The world as it should be
Not the world that I know
Our eyes meet
And I see a reflection
We make a connection
And I watch it grow
A curtain falls and I’m always the first one out
The roar of a crowd reduced to a distant shout
Then I’m all alone on the streets of New York City
And that’s when I see you
You were in the fifth row

When I’m up on the stage
You stand and you cheer me
You long to be near me
I shine like the sun
But here on the street
You clench and you worry
You clutch your purse and you hurry
Ready to run
But your fears suddenly soften and retreat
And for the second time tonight our eyes meet
And I realize here on the streets of New York City

I’m no longer in light
No longer revered
I’m a threat
I’m to be feared
I’m to be punished
A destiny fulfilled
When I’m ultimately killed
I just loved you in the play you say
No day but today you say
I don’t think I’ll ever be the same you say
And I just simply smile and walk away

I wake up hung over
But I hadn’t been drinking
Just staring and thinking
Up for most of the night
I won’t be defined by my anger and rage
I will get back on the stage
I will fight
To be seen as a gift that not all of us will know
I can’t give up hope the winds of change will blow
And perhaps one day on the streets of New York City

I will feel blessed
I will breathe in the air
My body at rest
Free of care
No longer living my future in my past
Then maybe you’ll see me
Truly see me
At last