roleplay
she coveted the role of queen
(a character cool and serene)
but temperamental discrepancies
(she lacked gravitas)
would not allow her to be cast
as other than the heroine
of hopeless love
the subject of men’s fancies
between wild caprices and staged despair
she was like berenice tearing her hair
since the king was not free
to pursue the princess
(such unbearable grief)
each necessary and tormented episode
and omens each so different and each the same
revealed again and forever
despite her burning lamentations
that tears would end the fable
(even you will confess
raison d’etat and ambition
will always rule over passion)
that love should be reciprocal
is an elaborate fantasy
irreconcilable with reality
at the end of the play
please applaud as the curtain closes
throw flowers at her feet (perhaps roses?)
praise this actress most capable
of making you believe this was all
a game
that she was just playing a role
on the stage
but as she retreats in the dark
(to her dressing room)
and divest herself of her costume
she wipes her tears (this time real)
and gently rests her broken heart on the table
michele voltaire marcelin
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Michèle Voltaire Marcelin is a poet/writer, performer and painter who was born and raised in Haiti, sojourned in Chile, and currently lives in the United States. The publication of her first novel “La Désenchantée” (CIDIHCA, Montréal-2006) was followed by its Spanish translation “La Desencantada” and two other books of poetry and prose: “Lost and Found” and “Amours et Bagatelles” (CIDIHCA, Montréal-2009) - translated into Spanish by Editorial ALBA as "Amores y cosas sin importancia" - all of which garnered rave reviews. Her writings are also featured in 3 anthologies published in France: "Cahier Haiti" (published by RAL'M-2009), "Terre de Femmes" (Editions Bruno Doucey-2011) "Revue Intranqu'îllités" (2012). She speaks and writes fluently French, English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. She has a BFA from the Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts at CUNY and a Masters from The New School for Social Research.
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