Stage Fright
I am drenched in perspiration, while flooded with anticipation.
Pulse races, hands shake.
Temperature rising, mouth dries.
I ponder the paradoxes of anxiety.
Why is it that while all of the clocks are melting, it feels as though time is freezing?
And why does the air seem to grow more and more scarce when we are wheezing?
Lights are blinding.
Sounds--deafening.
The very same lights and sounds I willingly approached,
And will continuously approach because they are my home.
When I am able to focus, however, I realize that I am alone
In front of all of these people
Although I cannot see them, I know they’re there.
I stumble saunter from the wings onto the stage
On my face, a Cheshire grin appears
From ear to ear,
And I think to myself,
God,
What am I doing here?
Melissa, age 17
