The Unknown Faces

He would like to dance for the stranger,
to release his art of passion;
he would rather fail for the unknown face
than to be rejected without compassion.

He would like to sing for a stranger,
to one who has not heard his voice before;
he would rather be judged by the unknown face
than to be bruised by authority’s door.

He would like to write for the strangers,
for with them his hope abides;
he would rather know deceit from unknown faces
than from where his heart resides.

He would like to live for the strangers,
for they would not know his name;
he would rather be forgotten by the unknown faces
than to be cast aside with shame.