Public Speaking: The Clothesline Project
I knew the challenge was to be real
That the courage I needed would take nerves of steel
I went over the words that I wanted to say
I covered them over and over in every which way
I walked through the crowd feeding on them
Terrified that the words I’d speak, they’d condemn
I laughed, joked, and performed pulling pigs from my sack
When I stepped to the stage there was no turning back
I showed them my underbelly, one of my dark days
I used it to educate so my flashlight could help them find the way
I stood there in silence giving up a slight bow
Then I teetered off the stage with my mind in the now
I was greeted with warmth, forgiveness, and hugs
The healing I get is better than any other drug
I can shine my light of love into the crowd
I can speak my truth, though shaky, way out loud
And they know, like I do that I’ve struggled and cried
But they trust that what I tell them will never be lies.
I really enjoyed reading this. I could sense your nerves, crowd interaction and return to the stage…
Thank you. That’s the day I performed. I apologize for the deluge this evening, but I’m so close to the finish and Magaly has kindly allowed me to make up the work missed.