Poem - 02 June 2018, 03:28

Stage Fright

Stagefright!

I take the mic, ready to start my set
I can just see their faces, the laughs that I’ll get
People still milling and taking their places
No empty seats, no empty spaces.

I’ve waited for years to get my shot.
Headlining this place, Finally! Top spot.
Ducking and diving I’ll be sending them wild
With my charm and my wit they’ll soon be beguiled.

They’ll be eating from the palm of my hand
I’m the best damn comic in all of the land.
I’ve done my time in the working men’s clubs
I’ve paid my dues, I’ve paid my subs.

The crowd uprising as the curtains raise
Deafening cheers, I am sure to amaze.
I look to my left then I look to my right
couldn’t fathom the pressure, didn’t know of the fright

This is not how I planned it, not what I hoped.
My energy gone I feel as if doped.
My lips have gone dry my throat it feels closed.
Sweat begins forming I feel so exposed.

I can’t believe what is happening
confidence gone it’s totally maddening.
I’ve fallen apart, I quiver and quake.
I just want to run, this pressure can’t take
.
Well, all over now totally done
career all finished set like the sun.
All blown away. I bit the dust.
Nerves got the better I was totally crushed.

I had hit the big time, the top of my game
Everyone knew me. They all knew my name,
but now that’s all done, I’m now in the gutter
Came crashing down, the ultimate shutter.

No more big stages. No after parties
No VIP’S, and no flash soirees
when all said and done I just couldn’t cut it
I froze up on that stage and I had to submit.

My glory days gone they’re all in my past.
I thought I’d be rich, simply having a blast.
Always climb up didn’t think I’d come down.
Look at me now a child’s party clown.

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2701

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Poetry Genre:

Drama

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12 comments

Comments

Nigel Cresswell...02 June 2018, 04:45

Hi John, Brilliant description of a truly debilitating condition. I am assuming from the poem that you were doing stand up (which is terrifying) so that spotlight is on you alone. I studied Drama at uni and there was a requirement to do a stand up routine. My piece was cleverly written political satire but when the fear took me it speeded up, got louder and louder and turned into an insane rant. I did not score well.
The point though is that as it was a 3yr course I had to go back on stage over and over again. The fear never leaves but it does morph into pure adrenaline, somehow a switch clicks in you and you can use the fear. Fear can feel like an ultimate barrier but it can be a tool. Never give up mate.
Great write John
Nigel.

John Steward02 June 2018, 05:01

Hello Nigel
Thank you for your kind comments, but no, never done any form of entertaining or acting, just like looking at things from other people's perspective. And wonder how I would feel in their shoes.
Once again thank you and I'm glad you like it.

John

Nigel Cresswell...02 June 2018, 05:34

Well John you got it spot on. My worst moment was losing the entire last act. Just gone. Actors say it can happen to anyone but I wrote the bloody play!
Great write
Nigel

John Steward02 June 2018, 05:47

oh mate, that must have been terrible. I won't let my youngest see or read this as she does go to a drama academy and this poem and our comments will put the fear of god into her. haha :)

lodigiana02 June 2018, 10:50

I absolutely loved this..speaking from experience as an actress and singer in the dim and distant past..it was only the brashness of youth that managed to conquer the awful stagefright..often so bad that I would have sole use of the bathroom in the theatre!!! You describe it so well it took me back(stage) immediately. Thank you for sharing
Lodigiana xx

John Steward04 June 2018, 03:22

Lodigiana I am really happy you liked this as I've never been fortunate enough to work on stage (in fairness I would probably fall apart before even getting up there), so this was all pretty much me imagining what it would be like.

Thanks for your kind words.

Cheers

John

sparrowsong02 June 2018, 10:58

Hello John...

That's a memory that if I saw someone else do it I'd probably be asked to leave because I'm laughing too much...

But, when it's you up there and disaster strikes and a bunch of 6 year olds are on stage sitting on their butts because they were ran over by a falling bear and it wasn't part of the show...

The Bear was but we hadn't met...

I was out that day...

No one filled me in not even the Dance Instructor...

No one had to go to the Hospital, that was good...

Great write!

Thank you for sharing...

Hugs...

sparrowsong

John Steward04 June 2018, 03:27

Hello Sparrowsong

Glad you liked this one. I haven't done any writing or drawing in quite a while, so very happy that you like this.

Thanks