Stand Up

In darkness I stand; heart pounding, mouth dry,
Awaiting my fate. To live or to die?
The moment is near, of failure and shame
The summoner calls: announces my name.

I’m there on the stage, impaled by the light
Caught in a cage; no fight and no flight.
I can sense but not see them, out there in the gloom.
The cold silence filling this cavernous room.

Transfixed by the glare, my mouth all agape,
Then out of nowhere, some words taking shape.
With no clue what I’m saying, I speak into the light
Then wait, simply hoping… some laughter; polite.

But I’m up now, and running, I’ve clicked into gear
The laughter is coming, so loud and so clear.
It fills me with power, I step up the pace
This now is my hour, I own this damn place.

It’s over, I’ve done it; I’m cheered off the stage
I fly to the exit, soar free from the cage.
Back home I am buzzing, then collapse in a heap
So tired but so happy, I float into sleep.

Awake in the darkness, the triumph has flown
Crippling sadness, just me, on my own.
I’m stupid, I’m useless, it’s all clear in the night
Until I can next step into that light.