15
"Do you get stage fright?"
of course not, I reply
I am lying through my teeth
as I allow myself to drown in anxiety
The inundation of nerves suffocate me
as I prepare to step out on stage
I can do this, I can do this
I hear my name
I can't do this
I shuffle out
I look at the audience
I know these people
I stand in place
I am petrified
I sing
I leave
And it all rushes out
I have done it
It's over
I didn't forget any words
I hit all my notes
but I am a wreck
Yet for some odd reason
I want to do it again
16
"Do you get stage fright?"
Everyone does
I haven't really answered them
I wait nervously
As a girl sings a generic pop tune
I note her mistakes
as if they can reassure me
or make me better than I am
I look at the list only to confirm I am next
I hear my name
I breathe in
I breathe out
I walk on
I smile vaguely
My music begins
I sing
My music ends
I smile vaguely
I rush off
That was awful
I made so many mistakes
I never want to perform again
17
"Do you get stage fright?"
Yes I do, I'm really nervous
At least I am honest
I am used to this feeling
I pace nervously
Am I going to be able to hit my high note?
Am I going to look good?
Is my music going to work right?
Am I going to be the best?
But it is too late to worry
I hear my name
I step out
I smile
I nod
My music starts
I sing each word carefully
I emphasize each note
I can't make any mistakes
My music stops
Applause
I rush off
I messed it up
I'll never do it as well as I practiced it
Did people like it?
But I move forward
18
"Do you get stage fright?"
Of course I do
This is only partially true now
I sit back and enjoy the act before mine
I'll have to make sure to congratulate them
I hear my name
I stride out
I grin at the MC as he makes a bad joke
I look into the audience
I smile
The piano begins to play
I open my mouth but do not sing
I have fun
The final note rings
Applause sounds
I curtsy once
I stroll off stage
I smile encouragingly at the nervous freshman
Who is about to go on
You can do it
I tell her, knowing how she feels
But I am not that girl anymore
I am not doing it because I feel I have to
to prove that I am better
or even to show off
I am doing what I love
I am a performer
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This is really good Maddie! I really liked it!
ReplyDeleteThis was awesome! I loved how it moved through time and showed your growing confidence as you got older
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this poem a lot! I really enjoyed your parallel structure through the progression of the poem. The short choppiness of the beginning part really resonated with my stage fright experience. I think this poem tells a lot and it is expressed so well.
ReplyDeleteI love the development from age 15 to 18, how you get more confident but still reasonable. Also, love the phrase "inundation of nerves." I agree with Jason. I like the choppiness and short thoughts racing through your mind.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the progression that this (collection of) poems portrays. As Jason and Chloe noted, the choppy sentences do a good job of expressing how it can feel to be on stage performing.
ReplyDeleteI loved how personal this was! I felt like I could connect to you through your emotions.
ReplyDeleteMaddie, what an awesome poem. I love its simplistic lines because they make it flow wonderfully. I like the numbers because at first I don't understand them, but by the end I understand they are age. I enjoy that this poem tells a story. I keeps my attention. It was overall wonderfully written. Lastly, I really like how applicable it is to you. Since I know you as a person, I know it relates to you in that you are a performer too. Therefore, it feels genuine.
ReplyDeleteMaddie I love this poem! It perfectly captures how you are as a performer and I can feel your passion for it as I read it.
ReplyDeleteMaddie this really sums up how passionate you are! I love it, good work!
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