Stage Fright Poem by Srivishnu Rentala

It sounded like child's play:
To hold your head high
And to not be shy
As you let your voice astray.
So I traverse the dais
And arrive midway,
Catching the gathering's gaze.

Like an arrow of poison
That's hit a bird unaware,
I'm consumed by dread.
The crowd shoots their stare,
And as I glance ahead
Confidence dwindles
With every passing second.

I try to shout
With all my might,
Only for reinforced doubt
To whisk me from limelight.
With Kness trembling,
And voice quivering with fear
What was to be a roar,
Shapeshifts to a whisper.

Of every path that lies
To escape this agony,
There is all but one
That I can take.
I must pull up my socks
And garner courage.
But with brimming silence
And a thousand eyes my way
Its easier to succumb
Than to overpower stage fright