My anthem. I love doing theatre, even though I'm not that good. A good number of the people in my school's theatre group plan to make a living out of theatre, in fact, one sung the national anthem at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia (if you know what that is). This is my anthem; I'm not the best at theatre, but I like it, and I can do things the others can't. Someday I'll have my glory...

THE FACE IN THE BACK

Big fake smiles plastered ear to ear

Always forget to notice the face that's shoved behind.

Mouths wide open in crystalline pitch,

While the face in the back is faltering,

Struggling to match your perfect ease.

A few natural steps to call upon the gasps

And still struggling is the face behind.

Side, front, side, heel, ball-change, turn, two, three!

As east as walking for those in the front.

The final bows are taken, the velvet curtain closed.

The applause rings out as the lights are dimmed,

But none for the face in the back.

Another kiss, another rose, another bow, another smile,

But only pangs of regret from those in the back

Even as we smile for the bowing splendors.

Some things, no matter now hard we wish,

Can never come without much effort.

But for the face in the back,

Great effort receives no award.

I try as hard as I can to match the others,

But the work is always useless.

Steps and notes are so east for you.

I can do them too, but with so much less ease.

The struggles and obvious, so again and again

I take my place as the face in the back.

So while they celebrate, I week

For that which I never learned and never tried,

Wishing for just once to get a kiss and a rose

Earned through effort rather than pity.

There are things you can do that I just can't.

But I try my best and you don't need to.

So to me, that is more worthy of praise.

And while you all go to celebrate another end,

You neglect to remember the face in the back,

Who cries for another beginning.

I may lack the talent, but I've gained the wonder.

Even though I'm not so good at what I do,

I enjoy it and that's all that matters.

Even the face in the back can have fun.

There are things you do better than me, I know,

But every coin has two faces.

As you perform in one way, I perform another.

THIS is my way to be praised.

That which brings me joy does not come from talent,

So I've learned to get joy from that in which I HAVE talent.

And if you don't like what I create,

Keep it to yourself. Don't ruin my day.

Opinions are your own, so think however you want,

But don't tell me without a reason.

I deserve answers and I deserve praise;

No matter what you say, I am human too.

The face in the back will someday have glory,

Though not in the same way as those up front.

And one red rose flutters to my feet...

A small smile... foreshadowing many more...

~please review! I worked hard on this!~