Stars

There is the rhythmic thump, thump of his heart, beating faster with each step he takes. There is the cool air exhaled, replaced, discarded once more as he tries to steady his nerves. His feet find his mark, and he tilts his head down, closes his eyes, breathes. He’s rising now, up, up, through the stage. The light hits him; the screams erupt. An unseen smile lifts his lips skyward, and soon his head follows, eyes lighting upon the crowd before him. There are lights everywhere – glowing stars mirroring the burning in each and every heart present that night. And now they can see his smile, and he can hear his blood in his ears, and he feels alive.

This is his stage. This is him.