Deja Vu (again)

Right now I am a member of a group,
And yet I am not.

I am with them in the public eye,
And in front of the audience,
Yet I am kept outside
And treated with scorn.

I am included in the applause,
And in the credits,
Yet I am patronized
And treated like extra baggage.

I am given sugary compliments
And assured of my importance,
Yet the backs quickly turn,
And I am given a deaf ear.

I am reminded of my efforts
And of how they helped get us here,
Yet my work is taken for granted,
And others are held in higher regard.

Limits were imposed on my efforts
And I was told it was for my own benefit,
Yet it seems I'm being punished for it,
And others are taking the bows.

I am here at cost and risk to myself,
And I've put others out by coming,
Yet I'm reminded that I'm an outsider,
And the group celebrates without me.

When all is said and done,
I'll probably be thanked politely,
Yet I may be judged no longer necessary,
And someone more popular quietly put in my place.

Strange how right now on Facebook
I've just reconnected with the group that did it to me before,
Yet here it is twenty-seven years and several thousand miles away,
And I probably won't try getting revenge this time.