You've captured a recurring theme in literature with your poem, Ray. It reminded me of several other works that I've read over the years.

‘The Boy Behind the Curtain’ is an autobiographical work by Australian author Tim Winton. Through a series of short stories he chronicles important events which helped to shape his life and his writing.

‘The Watcher on the Cast-Iron Balcony’ is a biographical work by poet and writer Hal Porter. It recreates the rhythms of small-town life between the wars and covers the author's early boyhood experiences, his first job as a cadet reporter, his work as a teacher, as an art student and then an actor in Melbourne.

The writer and poet is often characterised as a watcher rather than an active participant in events.

They are the people who sit quietly in the corner nursing their drink and saying little at parties.