behind the scenes.

The makeup room is crowded and hot.

You fight for a spot in front of the mirror

and pile on thick white foundation,

crying while your director teases your hair,

and you watch yourself transform

from a plain, ordinary girl

to an old woman or a rich man.

Today you’re a dark-eyed zombie.

You slip your uniform over your head

and pull your stockings over your legs,

lace up your boots and hold your breath

while someone stuffs you in a corset.

Your director appears to tells you it’s time.

You hum your way backstage and join hands

and bow your head to ask for God’s help.

Then you silently slip behind the set and wait.

You wait for seconds that seem like years.

You run your lines through your head

and realize you’ve forgotten all of them.

All you hear is the pounding hearts

and stiff breathing of your family around you.

The lights go down. The audience grows quiet.

The judge’s pen is poised against his spiral.

Red lights fade in on you at the sound of the music,

a few ominous booms and cautious chords.

You stand up and face your audience.

- MELISSA RENEE