My chin is held up high
My eyes are looking forward
As I walk, the air greets me with the faintest touch
With this, I know that today is when I will simply have to receive.
All of me feels intense, so, very, capable
Completely undaunted
Yet, deep in me, a voice instantly informs me that this will all be gone
Someday.
That is why, inside of my mind,
I am silently begging to defeat reality’s pawn.                                  Even if for just a moment,
let me carry along the ability to speak
to a crowd, to an audience, to an assembly,
Self-reliant and cognizant.
I no longer wish to ask myself, why I must perform or why I have to speak directly, while facing you all.
That will only risk more time.
I’d rather stand, head up there, and speak with no rocks inside of my stomach,
or breaks in my voice.
Let my voice present to you a choice.
You are unique.
You are somebody, rather than nobody.
So, if your friend is suddenly discourteous,
Or your educator hands you a “D” on that one test
Just know,
That I was like you, once
And still am.
You go up there and tell him or her you will do better next time, because you are not full of perfection, but neither are you a rejection.
Be yourself,
Because you, for one, are able to repair your mistakes.
Visualize yourself without any dread whatsoever.
Picture a setting where nothing overwhelming may reach you.
Now, take it all in.
Accept it.
Welcome to a land where no one is a misfit.