AUDITION

Evading and shading

in her first audition

of my script
from my newest one act play

Monique is reprimanded

several times

by the art director,

as the actor shyly asks him
this day if she will get
the part
after the half hour interview
as her lips tremble

(she barely laughs on cue)

as every hair is put in place
by the dressing room

knowing how important it is
that the unique nuances

reach each powerful line
is her romantic task
to be on time
in her three masks

knowing Monique's face
must change its facade

for the unique first scene

using only the right accent

and choice of language

left over from our examination
of her part

from the limited range
of her space at her collapse
at a recorded rendition

of where she has been,

whether her voice of art

is genuine or fake

as we arranged for her

on this hour on stage

where no one gets a break.