The Comedian

You’re about to go onstage

when she calls you up

to say her mum is sick. 

You’re about to go onstage

when you catch a glimpse of BBC News – 

Russia is going to test Article 5. 

You’re about to go onstage

when an urgent email from HMRC

hits your inbox. 

You’re about to go onstage

when you realise that everything

is so fragile, 

so insecure, so unsafe

that the only thing clasping the world together

is this moment – 

the faces that await you;

the lullabies

in their laughter.

Joshua Seigal