Playing the Part

I'm a pleasure-reader playing the part

Of an amateur critic who takes theory to heart.

I find the acting politic.

I find the theory makes me sick.

With those tests (and papers) passed,

I make my way to teaching class,

and play the teacher, though I'm a poet who

Just wants to spend his life in a classroom.

When sports are on,

I play a barbarian.

Sometimes I, sinner, even play a Christian,

Though I'm merely a deist with dearly loved friends.

All day, I play an actor,

But I'm really just a poet who

Wants to find a metaphor

The whole world can relate to.