Dan Burleson Poet Free verse

The Great Pretender

I am America’s greatest 

living actor.  

 

I commit to every role

so thoroughly and honestly

that you’ve never seen

me break character, never for 

a moment have you lost

your suspension of disbelief.

 

which floor board creaks when

stepped upon on stage?  I

can tell you.  which corner

brings the best cast light?  Easy.

 

I can see myself

through your eyes.

the instant you’ve heard

enough and beg for a

change in direction, I 

am aware and comply 

with your unspoken request.

 

when I’m not on stage

I’m studying your habits, 

your moods, your 

telegraphed motivations.

you tell me so much,

everything really.  all that

is required is observation.

 

you’ve seen me watching 

you, noting your movements,

taking mental snapshots of your

expressions, wondering why

you nod hello to her and 

ignore him.  why you smile

to him, and brusquely parade

past her.

 

my every waking moment

is totally and effortlessly

dedicated to mastering the

characters that shape our

every day lives.

 

hours pass without notice

when I’m noticing you.

the clock hands collapse

like a Salvador Dali painting,

tranquility pours over me,

quenches me all the while.

 

watching you entertains me.

you are the true star.  you

are the complicated character.

you are the hero.  you are

interesting, not I.

 

there lies within me 

an indefatigable quest:

how to be more like you,

how to become you.

 

this vocation I ply for free,

never asking for a credit.

 

who am I?

 

I am the clerk at the 

convenience store where you

get your morning coffee,

your next door neighbor,

the cop directing traffic up

ahead, the radio deejay 

keeping you company in 

the wee hours, the friendly

operator on the phone.

 

I am anyone whose

gaze meets yours.

 

you’ve known all along.

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