James Ambuehl

Stage Fright

I am a classical actor

All I've ever striven to be

Performing the works of the Bard

Johnson, Chaucer and Mallory

But the piece we must needs perform next

T'was penned by an odd sort of fellow

Inspired by a frightening text

The soul-blasting KING IN YELLOW

I can't explain my trepidation

My aversion to this outre play

T'was just a feeling I got

Of something OLD holding sway

But in the immortal words of the Bard

Indeed, ever the show must go on

And though we were damned in the doing

We hearkened to Cassilda's Song

As one, we sensed the danger

Yet truly we could not stop

It seemed we must perform

This blasphemy 'til we drop

And go on, the show surely did

Amid phantom whisp'rings and cries

And finally completing the Ritual

We laid claim to our prize

Behold, he rises, the King

Resplendant in all his glory

He gazes 'pon us in amusement

As helpless, we continue our story

Ane we now behold more actors

Than were ever enrolled in our Company

And ask ourselves just why it is

The newcomers reek of the cemet'ry

And as at this dark god's behest

We but dance as marionettes

I rebel, and chafe at the yoke

As any household pet

And so it is I warn you

Though you may be a hearty fellow

Truly, let sleeping gods lie

And dare not perform KING IN YELLOW!

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