All My World's a Stage

Give a nice warm welcome
To me, myself, I
The world’s sad puppet
A comedic actor perpetually on stage
Circus mirrors everywhere
Drawing gales of laughter
From strangers on the street
Even as my tears are spilling
Or as I shriek in rage
Laughter keeps my heart beating
“I was only kidding”
My mantra, my code
If I don’t laugh, I cry
If you don’t laugh, I cry
Welcome to my theater
Take a seat up front
And watch the parody
Special performance tonight
Tragedy and Comedy share the stage
The curtain can never rise
It hides so much
Each set a perfect replica
Of a scene in my life
Painted all in black
At center stage
My heart, clad in thorns
Before the curtain
My body flails
As a mad puppeteer jerks the strings
You see me as a whole
Body and heart as one
Help me pull myself together
Show me when I need to perform
And when I can rest
Show me how to smile
Without crying inside
Teach me how to give you Comedy
Without the taint of Tragedy
Take me off the stage
And into your world