still as a lake frozen in time <br />i sat in the audience <br />the time is here thaw i must <br />my inside roll as with sweat off a glass <br /> <br />a top a mountain a bird chrip my name <br />fingers of underbrush snake up my back <br />again from the podium my name is announced <br /> <br />sputtering for control i pop as with corn on fire <br />claps of thunder, thunderous applause cheer me on <br />it feels like in a box for there's no air its all gone <br /> <br />i gather my woods my wits my all <br />one step foward another step <br />even as the floor beckons on my weight <br />i watch as i make my way up to the platform <br /> <br />gripping the mike i look down at the sea of eyes <br />i see myself still clutching the arm rest <br />as like a life line i would drown if i let go <br /> <br />if i'm up here who is that sitting in a net <br />then i knew what i must do to break away and return to me <br />i must find the olive branch seek dry land i must speak <br /> <br />as with the start of rain in its season my words came and halted <br />then it gained strength then it gained tempo <br />i look in the crowd and i see me no more for am with me up on the platform and i am speaking and the fright is all gone <br /> <br />chenna linda<br /><br />Chenna Linda<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/public-speaking/
