Classic Poem

Two lovers face one another
actor and actress
author and conjoint authoress
manager, promptress
property man and make-up woman.
It is an amateur performance
but the piece is well written
but the lines imply the business
but the piece means little
but the last two words read:
They kiss.
The actors are their own audience.
As actors, they are artists.
As audience, they are critics.
They have read the play beforehand
in order to do it justice,
and they know the final stage directions
are impossible.
The piece comes to an end.
The lovers face one another.
Neither moves a muscle.
There is no applause.