"An Actor in Life" (a poem I wrote recently)

An Actor in Life

With the cameras focused on me,
My voice suddenly alters,
As my lines come forth,
Possessing a new identity,

My hair unlike what it’s been,
My style completely different,
Unrecognizable to family and friends,
Feeling like an out-of-body experience,

When the cameras are turned off,
And I exit the set,
I can set aside my character,
And can again be myself,

As I travel home,
To see my wife and kids,
I suddenly feel naked,
Like something’s missing,

When I tell my wife hello,
She asks if something is wrong,
That there are constant alterations in my voice,
A look of confusion on my face,

With the lines stuck in my head,
I look into a mirror,
Not recognizing myself,
I go into a panic,

I rush back to the set,
Place on my outfit,
Look into a mirror,
And feel like myself once again.