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Setting the Stage

October 12, 2008
By Anonymous

I see you all staring,
Waiting for me to do
Something, anything.

So I do.

I set the stage…
You are all the audience,
And I am the single actress.

I change my identity,
I become that character –
The one you expect me to be.

I change characters
Almost as often as
I change the scenery.

Home, school, church, friends…
I have a different character
For each and all.

I hope you enjoy this,
This play that I put on.
Because through it all…
I am no longer myself.

All those different characters
Have become me,
Erasing the person I used to be.

So I continue this Act,
This act that is my life.
And I set the stage
With each new day I see,
With you as my audience.

Enjoy the show…

The author's comments:
I personally think that many teens have experienced this - having different 'characters' for each setting they are in. Around friends or family, at school or at work, home or at church... I was inspired to write this poem after reading a book in which a boy is an actor for a main role in the school play. Throughout the book, he acts different ways around the different people in his life. There is a lot more to the story, but it's been too long since I've read it.
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This article has 9 comments.

grandpa said...
on Nov. 17 2008 at 12:55 am
profound, insightful. You are truly a daughter of your mother. It says something to me about how we influence what others thing of themselves. Hopefully we can, by the way we treat others, help them to rise to a better self!!
AlyssaC said...
on Oct. 31 2008 at 2:56 am
Thanks so much for the comments everyone! I have more poems and some artwork that I want to submit, but I don't know when I'll be able to. I will eventually though. :)
Dante said...
on Oct. 29 2008 at 8:10 pm
This is a fine poem Alyssa. It captures how many different selves we all have in any given day. I hope you write more.
sisr said...
on Oct. 29 2008 at 12:50 pm
Alyssa, I liked the straightforward approach. I think that as we travel through life, the person we used to be becomes the new and improved person that we are, still short of the person we hope to someday become.
Mostly Martha said...
on Oct. 28 2008 at 12:08 am
Alyssa. Your poem is insightful about being a teenager. Life does seem like acting at times but as you get older, that will change. Good poem. Keep up the good work.
messenc said...
on Oct. 27 2008 at 6:46 pm
Great job, Alyssa... Thanks so much for sharing this with me! I'll make sure all the kids know about your poem... :O)
xcelsal said...
on Oct. 27 2008 at 6:17 pm
I think this poem is very touching and very true. It reflects what many teens go through as they discover what life is all about.
Melanie J. said...
on Oct. 27 2008 at 6:05 pm
Alyssa, Well done! I didn't know you had it in you! What was the book?
barbwc said...
on Oct. 27 2008 at 3:49 pm
Alyssa, That is very thought provoking. It is written simply, and clearly. No hiding your ideas. I would like to see more.