The curtain begins to fall,
Darkness is all you see,
“But I haven’t completed five acts,”
You protest, “I’ve only completed three!”

The stage manager stands in the wings,
Shaking his head, looking so serene,
“You stop when I say you stop,
Even if its in the middle of a scene!”

Don’t fret about the time you get,
Every actor gets their due,
It isn’t the amount of time on stage,
But what with it you do.

Three acts is no different than five,
Five thousand would no difference make.
Be content with what you are given,
For no more or less will you take.

12 October 2008

Inspired by Marcus Aurelius‘ Meditations, Book 12, Section 36.