A Public Performance
A Story
My poetry is mostly about my experience as I've journeyed through life. The Public Performance is based on one such experience, In a poem I wrote a few months ago I described how I was an angry eighteen year old man with no patience. I bought a guitar and deliberately smashed it because I lacked the understanding that learning a musical instrument along with many other things we take on requires dedication,
At age of thirty two I was given a guitar as a present. I learnt three chords and played spasmodically over the years. In my forties I decided I would dedicate myself to gaining some skills on this instrument.
I also like to sing . I had teenage sons teasing me about my attempts and a partner who didn't like my singing. I have a baritone almost bass voice, a bit difficult to convert to alto so I couldn't be heard. Once again the dedication shelved
Now aged fifty seven, living on my own . Guitar is out!! Hours of daily practice accompanied with baritone voice singing. The skill began to flourish. Then I bought a harmonica and some foot pedals and became a one man band.
For a few months I joined friends for a weekly jam. They had lots of musical skill, piano, piano accordian and violin, They were encouraging me to play at a country market. No thanks. I'm never going to do any public performance. Finally I yielded.
It's Saturday morning. I'm feeling very nervous. There's a PA system. Never been on one those before. Am I gonna end up in the stocks with rotten fruit pelted at me????
I have chosen a Creedence number from the sixties, Who'll Stop The Rain for the one man band. I fluff a few chords but get through. No stocks, just compliments Which band did I play in. WOW
For a few months I wondered if it was worth the stress. But that finally abated. Twenty years down the track I can play anywhere . It's not just joy for me but I know other people get joy from my music.
Yesterday I was given a flyer from a writers club with a photo of a busker with an invitation to write three hundred words in prose or poetic form from what we see this picture, I have busked before but it was after I gained my confidence . I used my first public performance to write this poem
Don't ever give up !!!!!
The Poem Busking
I've practised many times in the comfort of my home
now guitar is in the car and I'm ready set to go
The thoughts are running wild but I visualise
that all will smoothly flow
It's my first time out in public and I'm feeling rather nervous
a little tightness in the chest, in the heart I feel a flutter
On guitar strumming, some simple well known chords
it's time to use my voice but it starts off with a stutter
But I decide to persist, pretend I'm back at home
chords are coming smoother from guitar hanging from my shoulder
The singing's in top gear it's pouring from my soul
The nervousness dissipated as I'm feeling so much bolder
I am almost unaware that I have become surrounded
by an enthusiastic throng
Now the time has come
to play my favourite song
Finally , i know that this busking has been worthwhile
as I hear the jingling coins that are thrown into my hat
Now I've overcome the nerves
I reckon, I've got it all down pat
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