If you seek to speak to me
on the day of a show
be well aware
that I may not be at my best.
I will be getting into the zone
silently prepping, plotting
planning out just what will happen
and when and where.

I may be absent.
I may seem distracted.
I may listen less well than I usually do
or more in my own head
which may be some kind of accomplishment
considering how much in my head I am
on the norm
but
please allow me
these idiosyncrasies.

Understand
it is only the workings
of the genius
that you sought to engage
in the first place.
This is my process.
This is my way.

In the day of the show
I might be a bit rude
but it is all
in the service
of the art
the performance.

You understand
don’t you?
Excellent.
So let me tell you
the good news
about this upcoming seven-year residency.