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.