深圳外国语学校 初一（12）班 刘璐

Liu Lu, Class 12, Junior 1, Shenzhen Foreign

Languages School

    My visions were once so wide,

    My legs were once so strong;

    My dreams were once so insane,

    ‘Cause they were once so young.

    The scarlet carpets were once laid out,

    The violet curtains were once drawn;

    Everything once seemed so ready,

    As soon as the lights went on.

    And life seemed filled with wonder,

    Filled with fairy tales;

    Success seemed to lie ahead,

    Seemed impossible if I fail.

    So I simply started trying,

    Trudging my way through the mud;

    Giving up never crossed my mind

    Even when times were tough.

    For the stage lined with carpets

    Just “a few steps away,”

    The dazzling stage lights in my mind

    Were brightening up my way.

    Till one gloomy Friday,

    One chilly afternoon;

    The raindrops, like waves on a stormy sea

    Soaked me wet out of the blue.

    Reality was an iron ruler

    Which slapped me out of the daydream;

    The carpets, the curtains, the shining lights

    All disappeared like steam.

    The moment the door clicked behind me,

    I dashed my way through the gates;

    The thunders that rumbled ahead

    Were cries saying “All in vain!”

    I longed to be a good actress,

    I longed to be a star;

    I longed to be a stage light,

    The most dazzling by far.

    Maybe it would never be my turn,

    Maybe it was all too late;

    Maybe that was called destiny,

    Was it karma or was it fate?

    I once laughed, I once wept,

    Once I was standing right there;

    I came, I left, I did all I could,

    Yet nobody seemed to care.

    The only things I knew shining on me

    Were the teardrops in my eyes;

    I knew, I knew I was just a shadow,

    Shadow behind the stage lights.

    Someday you’ll learn reality,

    Someday you’ll taste the fate;

    Someday destiny will cheat you,

    Someday everything will be in vain.

    But don’t cry, oh don’t you cry,

    Don’t let me see tears in your eyes.

    If you can’t be a superstar,

    If you can’t be a shining light;

    Then, just be the best shadow ever,

    Shadow behind the stage lights.

    Watch the attractive ones on stage,

    Watch their every single step;

    And at the same time, be the best shadow,

    Shadow behind the stage lights.

    Do not ask for attention,

    Do not try to tell wrong from right;

    Just be the best shadow ever,

    Shadow behind the stage lights.

    You know you’re not anyone else,

    You know you’re just yourself;

    Be the best shadow tonight,

    Shadow behind the stage lights…