Performance

The crowd applauses with the performance of the century. The merriment saturates the halls, the exhilaration floods the masses. I take my bow and exit the stage. I seize the moment to bask in isolation. I remove the mask, displacing a euphoric deception. Exposed to the reality of the hollow stare in my reflection. The blissful ruse I outpour, sometimes fools my own perception. A moment's tranquility becomes a hunger engulfing my senses. Stillness and repose quenches me. I endulge and replenish my soul for the encore. I cleanse the meloncholy, apply the veil of jubilation, for the audience requires my presence once again.