The Call of Life

The curtain withdrew, an empty stage,
The usher amused, called to the page.

Go forth, go forth, hurry tell all,
The theater empty, now but a hall.

Shock to faces of people there,
Who to give happiness, joy, despair?

Wait! Stop! A voice from the crowd,
Our lives, this, are we not proud?

To look ahead, scared - no guide,
Or trust ourselves, fears to the side?

A call to the people, stand, be tall,
Heed such warnings, less the curtain fall!


Darin N. Shank