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A Magical Moment
The first time I ever read my work in public it was at the community college in the small town I grew up in. I was honored to be invited as I remembered how I would go there when I was young to hear poets read their poetry. Soon after receiving the letter, it dawned on me that if I were to read I would have to get up on stage to do it. The thought of that terrified me.
In the weeks that followed, I had all but talked myself out of going to read. The night before I was to go to the college I told my husband at the time that I wasn't going to go read. He told me it would be a mistake if I didn't go and I would regret it forever if I passed up the chance to read. I wasn't convinced and went to bed thinking that I most likely would not go.
The following evening, I told my husband that I decided I wasn't going to the college. He told me we were going and that he was driving me there himself. He insisted that I would kick myself forever if I didn't go through with the reading. I changed my clothes and we climbed in the car to make the fifty minute drive to the college. Most of the drive is still a blur to me. All I remember thinking is "I'll go but I'm not getting up on that damn stage!".
As soon as we arrived, I began to feel a little excited just being there. We made our way to the auditorium, were warmly greeted and shown our seats. My heart began to pound as I looked around at all of the people in the room. There was a formal air to the atmosphere and t he people all seemed uptight. It was scary.
I knew it wouldn't be long before I would be called up on the stage. Still terrified, I bowed my head and prayed, "Dear God if you don't want me to get up there and fall on my face, please help me. I'm scared out of my mind!"
As soon as I got up on the stage and read the catchy first line of my poem, I actually felt at home. The line drew a hearty laugh from the crowd and I could actually feel the atmosphere in the room become relaxed. It was a magical moment. By the time I got through reading, I was so glad I had come after all. The truth is, I couldn't wait until I got the chance to read again.
In the weeks that followed, I had all but talked myself out of going to read. The night before I was to go to the college I told my husband at the time that I wasn't going to go read. He told me it would be a mistake if I didn't go and I would regret it forever if I passed up the chance to read. I wasn't convinced and went to bed thinking that I most likely would not go.
The following evening, I told my husband that I decided I wasn't going to the college. He told me we were going and that he was driving me there himself. He insisted that I would kick myself forever if I didn't go through with the reading. I changed my clothes and we climbed in the car to make the fifty minute drive to the college. Most of the drive is still a blur to me. All I remember thinking is "I'll go but I'm not getting up on that damn stage!".
As soon as we arrived, I began to feel a little excited just being there. We made our way to the auditorium, were warmly greeted and shown our seats. My heart began to pound as I looked around at all of the people in the room. There was a formal air to the atmosphere and t he people all seemed uptight. It was scary.
I knew it wouldn't be long before I would be called up on the stage. Still terrified, I bowed my head and prayed, "Dear God if you don't want me to get up there and fall on my face, please help me. I'm scared out of my mind!"
As soon as I got up on the stage and read the catchy first line of my poem, I actually felt at home. The line drew a hearty laugh from the crowd and I could actually feel the atmosphere in the room become relaxed. It was a magical moment. By the time I got through reading, I was so glad I had come after all. The truth is, I couldn't wait until I got the chance to read again.