The Old Actor

The show is now over,
The curtain has fallen.
Nobody is clapping,
The air is still, sullen.
The lights have gone out,
Darkness swallows the stage,
The floorboards creak,
Set pieces all packed away.

No trace of words,
The crowd silent in their seats.
Tense and in suspense,
Unsure of what still succeeds.
The spotlight illuminates,
Casting a circle so bright.
Revealing the outline,
Of a figure hunched in light.

He stands there alone,
One old, broken man.
The veteran actor,
In a teary-eyed stance.
His worn-out collar
Strains against his neck.
Clearing his throat,
He takes a deep breath.

He knows he no longer,
Has much time left.
He delves into the piece,
Through panting breaths.
A drop makes its way,
Down his weathered forehead,
He can’t wait to recite,
The final lines of his set.

His signature baritone
Comes out in a rasp.
Just hearing the sound
Makes the audience gasp.
The celebrated giant,
Whom millions adore,
Is unrecognizable,
From who he once was before.

Sweat, shiny and glistening,
Covers his face, red and flushed,
Down to his button,
His shaky hands rushed.
To provide some relief,
And allow air to flow.
So he can begin the last
Monologue of his show.

“Well, the day has come,
Perhaps it is the last.
Yesterday I received
The casket for when I pass.
The headstone I picked out,
Is resting in the shed,
Awaiting me to take it,
To the realm of the dead.

Tonight I stand here,
On this weathered stage,
Perhaps for the last time,
Due to my old age.
It simply can’t go on –
My weakening heart.
I cannot keep acting,
In another role or part.

My doctor told me,
I must take a break.
No more King Lear,
Or other roles to take.
It is about time,
I set Hamlet free,
And ask myself finally,
“To be or not to be?”

I will no longer play
The lover, Romeo,
Or in Verdi’s pieces,
The killer, Otello.
I cannot be on stage,
For a minute more,
To present to you,
“La Cage aux Folles.”

What comes after this?
Of that I’m not sure.
Now begins the time,
Of peace, I abhor.
I bid you farewell,
This time forever.
May God bless you all,
For worse or for better.”

The speech is now over,
The curtain comes down.
The whole crowd applauds,
The actor’s world spins around.
His eyes are still teary,
His soul is now pure.
The crowd goes wild,
Chanting “Come back for more!”

At the end of the show,
He rejoiced in success,
His rapid heart beats
Through tightness in his chest.
Off to plan his future,
He heads backstage,
Sits quietly in his chair
And rests after the big day.

Later, the headline,
On the front page had read:
The fan-favorite star’s
Heart had failed in the end.
On that very night,
Many things changed:
He acted for you,
And happily left the stage!

2026.06.26. Translated by Esther Brownwood