Public Speaking

Main lights off. Spotlight on you.
Audience waits with bated breath.
After the forever wait comes the opportunity
Brilliant speech will cause certain death.

Wit and humour. You have plenty.
Set cue cards down on the stand.
Before the first word, it happens.
Stranger in a strange land.

Bedroom orater succumbs
To the most common of fears
Hush now, don't try to cry
No one will wipe the tears.

Why did it happen?
Is there no justice my brothers?
Oh grow up stupid child
A victim like the others.

Seems a myth doesn't it
Why so much hype then?
Because it's natural
Lions crawling back to the den.

Take it in your stride
Get over it if you can.
Public or private
Fear is your fan.

Audience is not the only cause
That, too well we know.
Even with the closest ones
Sometimes our feelings don't show

Whichever way you wish to succumb
Learn to come out on top.
Go forward in reverse
Jump, Skip and Hop.