Curtains

I have to go back to the shadows,
to the dark corners where no-one
can see me raise my hands
in surrender to your silence.

I have to step out of the light
and into the curtains behind
this stage where dreams remain dreams
and audiences go back out to the world
unchanged.

I shrink. I shrivel.
I let the last drops of hope
evaporate into the sunshine
that has gone cold.

I will sleep—
and say no more.