Audience - Val Emmich

The painter he died alone

Decades later they built his throne

Proclaiming his great worth

While he was buried under all that earth

Would have been nice to hear

While he was upright and breathing air

I heard someone joke

We’ve gone as far as we can go

No longer a difference ‘tween

Those who watch and those being seen

Fear i was born too late

No one left to hear what i say

There’s no one left in the audience.

Everybody wants to be in the show.

So what am i doing here?

I don’t know.

There’s a soiree out back

Full of art school undergrads

They make great party hats

But not a one understands math

Each does a one-man play

Streaming live in 50 states

The critics now work from home

No longer paid to sing along

I miss their companionship

A steady voice amongst the frantic

Just wanted art that’s true

Just want to talk about the blues

There’s no one left in the audience.

Everybody wants to be in the show.

So what am i doing here?

I don’t know.

Had a picture in my mind

But it’s gotten harder over time

To hold on to that dream

Can’t deny what i see

And there’s no sadder sight

Than the man who can’t call it a night