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Analysis
In the Spotlight
The monthly poetry open mic night in my city. Poets from all around town come and share their work. A gathering from so many different backgrounds, a true melting pot of what makes my city so unique.
After reading outside in the red hour, I was hoping my name would be chosen from the magic goldfish bowl to read inside. On the stage, single light illumination, 100+ eyes focused on the poet.
Waiting for my name to be called, dry mouth became real.
It’s not like I’ve never been onstage in front of a crowd, but this was different. This time I was reading my work. Something that resonated with me. I chose Sparkle. Felt that it would be a good piece. Short, easy to read. Appropriate for my first time reading inside. Some poets usually give the crowd a backstory for their piece before they launch into their reading.
I kept it simple.
“Hey…this is called Sparkle.”
With the microphone in one hand and my phone in the other, I started.
Approaching it more as a soliloquy, I used the stage's available real estate, pausing and looking at the audience.
I looked down at my phone to advance the page and noticed my hand was a bit shaky. My voice was steady so far.
Hmm, why the nerves?
Strange, I was analyzing what was going…
