oh_me_ghost

From Persona, by Ingmar Bergman
(A woman talks to her patient who refuses to speak)

Don't you think i understand
the hopeless dream of being,
not seeming, but being
in every waking moment aware, alert.
The tug of war-- what you are
with others [vs] who you really are,
a feeling of vertigo
and a constant hunger
to be finally exposed
to be seen through, cut down...
even obliterated
Every tone of voice a lie.
Every gesture false.
Every smile, a grimace.
Commit suicide?
That's unthinkable.
You don't do things like that,
but you can refuse to move and be silent,
then, at least, you're not lying.
You can shut yourself in
shut out the world,
then you don't
have to play any roles,
show any faces
make false gestures.
You'd think so...
but reality is diabolical.
Your hiding place isn't water-tight.
Life trickles in everywhere.
You're forced to react.
Nobody asks if its real or notices
if your honest or a liar.
That's only important
at the theatre.
Perhaps not even there.
Elisabet, I understand why
you're silent. Why you don't move.
Your lifelessness
has become a fantastic part.
I understand and admire you.
I think you should play
this part until it's done,
until it's no longer interesting.
Then you can leave it, as you leave all your roles.