I thought the next episode would come the lights would rise the mark would glow again I stood where the camera used to find me holding the smile they taught me how to wear one more take one more take one more take that never starts Years folded the set into dust and silence I kept every cue inside my throat the words I never gave you stayed unspoken they taste the same each time I almost speak I counted the nights like unfinished pages each one ending on the same cold line I turned toward the place you used to stand as if the next line might still arrive one more take one more take one more take that never starts The costume still fits the way it always did the paint still hides what time has done I smile the way the lens once ordered me even though no one is left to see I remember the exact second you left the frame the quiet after the final cut I never said the sentence that could have kept you it stayed behind my painted teeth I thought the next episode would come I thought the next episode would come I thought the next episode would come the script is gone the tape is gone the smile remains the waiting remains I sing the part they never wrote for me to someone who cannot answer anymore the stars outside still know my name but they refuse to give you back I thought the next episode would come and the night keeps answering with nothing with nothing with nothing at all