Younger oh much younger
I let my feelings show
Wore them on my sleeve
Like a passion fashion show.

Then I discovered acting
On the stage and on the screen
Shouting here. Emoting there.
My feelings could be seen!

But real life came a'calling
Hard and tough - no punches pulled
Senses reeling from the pain
My youth had been annulled.

With each new hurt and each new pain
My acting skills were honed.
Hide them deep. Hide them well.
Lessons learned and sins atoned.

Self-taught .... Self-educated
In the ways of my survival
My soul is healed and then renewed
Like an old-time church revival.