shadow puppet

my hands are cracked and bleeding 
I gag as bone protrudes 
but the show must go on. 
my hands are tightly bandaged 
once i disappear behind the screen 
and light illuminates my hands 
I look perfect. 
I steady my tremors 
and put my focus 
into my performance. 
I wish that someone 
would peer behind the screen
kiss my hands 
and hydrate my skin 
with tears 
but instead 
I watch others puppet shows 
at the slightest mistake 
I waste no time 
I rip the paper 
but there they stand 
soft, unscarred hands 
I’m forbidden form their theater 
for ruining the show 
I learned to stop letting 
my insecurities show 
but I always worry 
that others 
struggle the same 
almost to a fault 
but instead 
I hide behind the curtain 
bandaging my broken hands
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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