the end of the show

I'm leaving, leaving now
Better yet, I want to leave
There is nothing else to do or see here
Having reached the last act, what else is there now?
The Great Parade ends, no more clowns to see.

I want to leave, and find, in another place, a newer spectacle
So far this road has been marked by near-misses.
With only ashes left to hold
And all parties sent away, what else is there to see?
Well, not even remembrances
Since even forgetfulness has proven to betray

I want to leave, but this body won't let me
It keeps playing its part to an empty audience,
It keeps following the circular road of stage houses
The desiccated spirits, the repetitions

I want to leave, today more than any other day
I can't be witness to the endless repetitions
I can't gaze at the fearful faces anymore
I don't want to listen to one more rehearsal

I want to leave, because if I were to stay
I would have to add a new act to this play
But the actors have left the stage
And their masks have been broken
The empty dialog has ended

I want to leave, all costumes have been removed
And hearts are no longer heavy with lies,
The fantasy abandoned, the illusion revealed--
I can only narrate the dreadful facts