(left alone. off-center.
pacing to and fro.
the audience sits mute—
as if they are not there.
he speaks his parts
in whispers and shouts.
he suspects, gradually,
no one has heard)
Explanations aren’t enough.
(he explains beneath his breath)
What was that sound? (he barks.
a murder in the wings.
near the stage edge,
yet not at the edge,
he peers into the dark,
a sailor lost at sea).
(October 17, 2016)
subtext 