‘What does it mean to protest suffering, as distinct from acknowledging it?’ – Susan Sontag
Since many of the plotlines explored throughout my plays

have started leaking into my current reality, I’m now publicly

admitting to embracing other people’s anguishes for the sake

of my own creative endeavours. Over the past decade,

I’ve consistently been celebrated as a prophetic & iconic

playwright — a trademark I still justifiably hold.

However, since the themes I’ve so realistically & poetically

portrayed throughout my works have tragically

begun to impact upon my daily routines —

my gratification with such accolades may not fully

be appreciated without such a declaration.

I’ve experienced a great loss, which I choose not to discuss

at this point in time — but I’ll admit that until recently,

I’ve always felt more comfortable writing about

the lives of others — from a distance, but most especially

while my subjects are inhabiting their own homes.

It’s not unfitting to mention that after years of dinner

invitations & appearances — I’ve been praised as not only

being an exceptional conversationalist, but a much-desired guest.

During such dinner parties, I’ve always offered to wash-up

after each course, yet I’ve always been denied this pleasure —

so I end up refilling my glass & observing the performance

of domestic politics. Over the years, I’ve only ever contributed

to one squabble — when an amateur actor, cast in one of my plays

premiering at the time, didn’t recognise me & vehemently

began questioning the ethics of the script — which was based

upon a widely reported & terribly violent incident.

The actor’s naïve soliloquy continued until I politely remarked

that there was not only passata saucing the upper region

of their lip, but also the tip of their nose. After the actor fled

to the bathroom to wipe away now, not only the tomato purée,

but a solid amount of mascara — my fellow comrades reassured

& praised me for my honesty. I was then reminded about all

the positive reviews the show in question had received.

I’ll have to conclude this admission shortly, but do I hope

this announcement will be respected & will allow me to continue

my quest for writing authentic dialogue & descriptions —

something I truly believe is often unattainable for people directly

experiencing the duress which makes for such interesting

material that I possess an ability to curate & represent upon a stage.

As proof of my skills, I can testify that I’ve received numerous

writing grants & government financial support — even patronage,

which, as you’ll reasonably understand, I’ve not been able

to question or reject. My hand-to-mouth existence prior

to my fruitful reputation isn’t unlike the precariousness

of those begging for money while resting against the entrance

to the building where I’ve recently commenced my latest

writer’s residency & like most artistic entrepreneurs — I can

offer nothing, as I believe carrying coins grinds my inspiration

down & closer to the pavers, which I’ve strived brick-hard

to lift myself up & away from for the sake of my creative practice.