The Script

by Todd Matson

Act I

Be perfect.

Act II

Be human,

somewhere

south of

perfection.

Act III

Suffer

onslaught

of rage,

accusation,

criticism,

condescension,

judgment,

condemnation,

sarcasm,

ridicule,

shame,

while you

freeze,

submit,

look down,

just take it,

speak only

when spoken to,

make false

confessions,

apologize,

apologize again,

apologize again

and again,

ask for forgiveness,

beg and plead

for forgiveness.

Fall silent.

Act IV

Be ignored.

Be ignored

for days.

Be a ghost.

Clean up

after yourself.

Leave no trace

of activity.

Remain silent.

Out of sight,

out of mind.

Do not approach.

Speak only

when spoken to.

Be perfect.

Director’s notes:

Repeat

Acts I – IV

indefinitely,

or rewrite

the script.

Yes, rewrite

the script.

Leave

everything

but Act II

on the cutting

room floor.

Start over

from there.

***

Todd Matson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in North Carolina. His poetry has been published in The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Mindfull Magazine, and has been featured in Poetry for Mental Health.He has also written lyrics for songs recorded by a number of contemporary Christian music artists, including The Gaither Vocal Band.