~
you jump up confidently
taking to the makeshift stage
like a salmon leaping for its life,
dog-eared worn paper notes
the bait that trapped you
into bearing your soul are
now held nonchalantly low,
a frown, a tremble, a gag,
as you unveil the inner you
to curious ears, will they get it?
what if you screw-up?
worse still what if you corpse!
you know the words are good
they pull, they nick, they push,
they lick, they kiss they slap, as
upturned dimmed faces from below
offer wry smiles, agreeable nods,
a hastily wiped away tear, then
unsure applause begins to pop
like the first splashes of a shower
spreading towards you row by row,
and so back home you go
ego sated, smiling to yourself,
bus ticket in hand
*
© Graham R Sherwood 1/25
grahamrichardsherwood.co.uk 