"stand-in players" [boomerang]

While the personalities figured   as stand-in players
the names had been changed   to obscure the long-deceased

this had happened a million times     in a myriad layers
had we noticed the repetition?   yes     twice at least

the dough were forevermore rising   with some fresh yeast
the dawns would appear!   the dusks would die!   were our prayers

now performed in the south & north?   or the west & east?
while the personalities figured   as stand-in players