On Stage

The crowd whispers, a monotonous drone,
From behind the curtain, I take a breath.
I must capture them, bring them to me
I must do it alone.
I must be animate, I must to audible
Above all I must capture the attention of hundreds.
This is what I have always wanted
This moment to stand alone
And as I step out now, all eyes are on me
Five hundred anonymous faces
A shuffle of feet, a rustle of programs
They are waiting for me to speak
Now is my chance, to spread my wings
And give forth this talent buried so long

I begin to speak now, quiet at first
And the audience leans forward to hear
Breathless as I begin my tale.
My voice gains momentum
Rising then falling, dramatic in every last detail.
The sweat on my forehead, the light in my eyes
A dream I’ve waited to have for so long
And as the ending draws near I look over the crowd
Every eye is on me, wide with excitement
I’ve captured them in my grasp
Ah, this is glory!
Dear God, I have done it!
I’ve put them under my spell.

As I speak my last word
I hear the cheers rise up
And tears rise up in my eyes
I bask in the sound of a victory won
The roar of the crowd washing over me.
This is the life I have wanted to live
And now as I stand here, trembling a little
I know that it was worth it,
Even if I am never here again.