All Divas Are Hot Messes

It’s strange when I see those
I recognize as paragons of stability
let their lips quiver
over things that twenty-five years ago
and acknowledge their baggage and bitterness
and say in a tone that eludes to pride in the matter
“Many of the finest artists I know are complete hot messes”
makes me feel better about myself
and how easily I can have days
where all the badness of the distant past
suddenly comes flooding back
and I just have to deal
it’s encouraging to know people who have the same
still do eight shows a week and do them splendidly