Chenna Linda - public speaking

still as a lake frozen in time
i sat in the audience
the time is here thaw i must
my inside roll as with sweat off a glass

a top a mountain a bird chrip my name
fingers of underbrush snake up my back
again from the podium my name is announced

sputtering for control i pop as with corn on fire
claps of thunder, thunderous applause cheer me on
it feels like in a box for there's no air its all gone

i gather my woods my wits my all
one step foward another step
even as the floor beckons on my weight
i watch as i make my way up to the platform

gripping the mike i look down at the sea of eyes
i see myself still clutching the arm rest
as like a life line i would drown if i let go

if i'm up here who is that sitting in a net
then i knew what i must do to break away and return to me
i must find the olive branch seek dry land i must speak

as with the start of rain in its season my words came and halted
then it gained strength then it gained tempo
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

chenna linda

Chenna Linda

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