Agoraphobia Poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

Agoraphobia

I lifted my glass of red wine towards the lamplight as seeing
the light through a dreamy, rosy haze; I saw a dirty glass
full of fat finger marks I could not blame the barman since
I was alone at home thinking I should have been an actor.
I went on stage once an actor friend of mine, Tom Hardy was
rehearsing a play, all those empty seat looking at me I was
consumed with limelight fear. Tom loved his calling, he never
made it big but loved his craft, I saw him play Lesley Howard
in a movie made in Portugal and he was perfect for the role-
This really is about agoraphobia which has blighted my life and
I disappointed many by promising to appear at a public do and
not showing up and feigning mix up of dates. I told Tom, swore
he could cure me, by me taking none speaking role in a play.
Well, Tom died.
My wife’s gone to a party I’m looking after the cat and she don’t
know how famous I could have been