Michael says actors are delusional–
the ones who star in poorly-scripted
films, over and over. How can they

live as soft-boiled eggs? I want to believe
in excellence, too. That love of craft–
steering ships– can navigate

to where one needs to go,
even when relentlessly punched
in the ring.

I, too, am weak, having
said the words of Winkler
for free

just to get on screen.
And the cost was
stock-video explosions

that were copyright
violations.

But to live a dream
(and dream
I do)

one must wake up
and say the words
to anyone who listens.

(originally published in Rind: An Online Literary Magazine, Summer 2024)