Those highlight reels litter the road,
you cannot move
without stepping over another
showing sun, success, fame, gold
as a life lived well,
and your backstage pass,
gripped in your hand,
feels inconsequential,
dull and plastic,
to all that jazz.

You wonder,
slightly, if these auditions
passed you by, your manager vacant,
those chances never even on the table,
and compare,
winning smiles, immaculate clothing,
the happiest,
and in your mirror, the inescapable
truth that they got it together,
and your strings can barely constrict.

No.
No, this is no truth,
the commonality is the camera,
your behind the scenes is full
of struggle and doubt and failure,
while their Hollywood restricts
your lens, affixed close-ups,
blocking stage and sets.

Believe,
‘The Best Of‘ scenes exist
within your runtime, and while
you may not reside in the heart of
glamour and glitz, your star
still burns as bright as theirs,
you shine.