Into the Ringlight

Into the ringlight I go, 

hair trimmed, products on, 

posture checked, eyebrows level, 

tapping foot restrained, elbows back, 

chest pulled forward, sweat dabbed off, 

jaw unclenched, fingers laced, 

darting eyes held steady, chin hairs shaved, 

intro memorized, outro scribbled, 

fidget spinner parked, notebook open, 

mantras muttered, affirmations spoken, 

audio tested, rehearsal finished, 

coaching session completed, meds taken, 

life purpose penned, camera on.

Into the ringlight I go, a gladiator glaring into the eyes of a rhino. Cranks click as the gate slowly rises.

Click. Click. Click.

And record! And action! 

Into the ringlight I go. Never have I ever, so toiled and trotted and paraded for the validation of complete strangers. 

Never have I ever prepared so carefully, dressed so sharply, obsessed so deeply for the ridicule of complete strangers. 

Into the ringlight I go, naked as I've ever been. Nameless as I'll ever be.