11:53 a.m. I’m late today because I was at a high school awards ceremony. My daughter won a scholarship for performing arts. I’ve watched her develop as an actress and singer since she was six years old. Mostly backstage, but I’ve been lucky enough to be onstage with her some, too. But where I usually am is backstage or in the audience. That got me thinking about being backstage.

rustles and whispers engage
and you see a different play
from the shadows of backstage

it may feel it lasts an age
or that time has slipped away
as rustles and whispers engage

you know every line on the page
and for the actors you pray
from the shadows of backstage

war is something you cannot wage
and in vain you will try to stay
the rustles and whispers that engage

spotlight doesn't reach the cage
behind the curtains to the fray
in the shadows of backstage

in the end, you may feel your age
as if you're suddenly old and gray
in rustles and whispers that engage
from the shadows of backstage

12:15 p.m. Not too bad.

Backstage
by Michelle Garren-Flye

Rustles and whispers engage,
and you see a different play
from the shadows of backstage.

It may feel it lasts an age,
or that time has slipped away
as rustles and whispers engage.

You know every line on the page
as do the actors, you pray,
from the shadows of backstage.

War is what they must not wage,
and in vain you will try to stay
the rustles and whispers that engage.

Spotlight doesn't reach the cage
behind the curtains to the fray
in the shadows of backstage!

In the end, you may feel your age
as if you're suddenly old and gray
in rustles and whispers that engage
from the shadows of backstage.

12:29 p.m. Villanelle seemed to suit this one. It’s supposed to be sort of lighthearted. Backstage drama usually is, even if it seems like the end of time right at that moment.