The rose still sits in a cup on my dresser
My badge of honor
seal to secrecy to swear.

Lips painted red
no one notices a clown when the lights are blinding.
Two masks, two faces, two whispers

Outshine, outlast, outlive
two more minutes before you can go home.
I lied.  

Just wait until you make it
I promise there’s more than this
loose lips sink ships, drowning in jealousy.

Pretty in pink pretend to be
everything you’re not
maybe next year.

You’re so close.
You’re in the door.
We’re proud of you for not giving up. 

but when I open the curtain
it seems that no one showed.
Curtsy, exit stage left, time to do it all again.