Stage Fright

And for a second the world was listening.

And for a second they all turned to hear.

A terrified woman, mother, teacher, lover

trying to hide her fear,

but seeming alone in a world with a voice,

so many ideas, but somehow with no choice

to open her mouth and speak her mind,

terrified of the attention of probing eyes.

Judging her words

And tearing apart her thoughts.

Would her trivial views be better off lost?

In her own small world

Busting apart at the seams. 

Wanting to share

But not knowing what it means

To really free herself

And make others aware

that she does have a voice

and opinions to air.

Stripping away the consciousness

that enrobes her so tightly

wound and bound around her,

to speak is so frightening.