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Building Tension

Did you ever stand on stage, behind the big curtain. Standing there peeking out from behind the curtain, watching the audience looking at the stage. Your knees are shaking, your mouth is going dry. Your thoughts are racing, will I remember my lines? The act before you is almost done, your time is coming up way too fast. This is "building tension" in your mind and body, time to go on~time to go on soon. The audience is breaking out in, cheering and applause. Now it is my turn, Oh God help me!

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Edward Ibeh

Date: 3/4/2024 9:11:00 AM

Heartiest congratulations on your win in my contest with this wonderful poem, Paula:-) Intense and suspenseful!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 3/4/2024 12:59:00 PM

Thanks for your note, very kind words and for your Congratulations. Glad you enjoyed my "Building Tension" write. Thanks for having this fun contest/for my placement. I enjoyed writing this for you... Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 3/2/2024 9:23:00 AM

I love your wit in this poem Paula. Congratulations! :)

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 3/2/2024 11:18:00 AM

Thanks for your note and for your Congratulations. Glad you love my wit in my "Building Tension" write. It was fun to write... Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Vijay Pandit

Date: 3/2/2024 6:05:00 AM

I am back with congrats-- on your win Paula.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 3/2/2024 11:16:00 AM

Thanks for your note and for your Congratulations. Glad you like my "Building Tension" write. Always great to see you here... Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Christuraj Alex

Date: 3/1/2024 8:29:00 PM

A very beautiful poem with a dramatic illustration of stage-fear and embarrassments experienced especially as the beginnings of stage-acts in life. Congratulations!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 3/2/2024 11:13:00 AM

Thanks for your note and for your Congratulations. Glad you found my "Building Tension" write to be a very beautiful poem with a dramatic illustration of stage-fear. When I was 4 to 7, I had none. Then it started big time/it took many years for me to get over it. There were times I thought I was going to die. Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 2/29/2024 10:03:00 AM

"Honorable Mention" Building Tension ~ Date Written: 2/12/2024

Karen Jones
Date: 3/2/2024 5:50:00 AM

Congratulations

Karen Jones

Date: 2/29/2024 8:24:00 AM

You nailed it! Yes I have felt this tension yet it is eased if you do well performing. Good luck in the contest!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/29/2024 10:02:00 AM

Thanks for your note and for your good luck. Glad you like my "Building Tension" write. Also glad you feel I nailed this one. It is great when the reader can understand the writer... Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Silent One

Date: 2/18/2024 12:39:00 PM

I could feel the tension in your words, a great idea for the contest.. your pen is on form... best of luck..

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/19/2024 8:45:00 AM

Thanks for your note and for your best of luck. Glad you like my "Building Tension" write. Also glad you could feel the tension in my words. As a writer, I love to hear that. Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 2/15/2024 11:08:00 AM

Hi Paula, what a loayl friend you are, I Don't answer you for weeks yet you answer all my poems, I am quite humbled by your sincerity. Yes waiting in the wings or behind a curtain that is about to open to an audience is intimidating, but we get through it and wonder why we fussed so much. a very human write, well penned Paula. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/17/2024 8:17:00 AM

Thanks for your note. Glad you found my "Building Tension" write to be well penned. You always have many kind words to say. Thanks... Years ago/in school, I was very afraid. Now I am OK with it. Keep writing. Hugs... Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Len Gasun

Date: 2/12/2024 6:50:00 PM

An amazing poem my dear poet friend Paula. You described a building tension so well. I am a shy person and sometimes i feel the same way dear. I immensely enjoyed reading your awesome poem while taking my break at school. Thank you so much for sharing. My best wishes. Good luck always. Have a great day. Hugs

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/17/2024 8:13:00 AM

Thanks for your note and for your Good Luck. Glad you found my "Building Tension" write to be an amazing poem. That made my day a happy day. Thanks... Glad you had a break at school to read. Years ago/in school, I was very afraid. Now I am OK with it. It takes time/getting in front of people over & over. Hugs... Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Gershon Wolf

Date: 2/12/2024 6:27:00 PM

Excellent. Total identification with this one, Paula. ~ Dry-Mouthed

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/17/2024 8:06:00 AM

Thanks for your note. Glad you found my "Building Tension" write to be excellent/total identification. It is good to know the read knows how I feel. Years ago/in school, I was afraid but now I am OK with it. Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Joseph May

Date: 2/12/2024 4:25:00 PM

I feel the nervous tension building as you come on stage, Very nicely penned Paula

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/17/2024 8:01:00 AM

Thanks for your note. Glad you like my "Building Tension" write. Years ago/in school, I was afraid. Now I am OK with it. Have a blessed day writing away..........................

I Am Anaya

Date: 2/12/2024 3:56:00 PM

Do you, Paula do interviews or book signing's because you've described to a T what t feels like being on stage. As a youth I danced with a folklorico, after a while you get used to it! Loved it!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/17/2024 7:59:00 AM

Thanks for your note. Glad you enjoyed my "Building Tension" write/found I described to a T. I do story time/book signings/speaking. Years ago/in school, I was very afraid. Now I am OK with it. I just want to do a great job each time. Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 2/12/2024 2:29:00 PM

Hi Paula, Yes I think it is the silent prayer of most of us before performing or even when giving a public speech. You captured that pre performance jitters so well in this penning. Enjoyed it!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/17/2024 7:52:00 AM

Thanks for your note. Glad you enjoyed my "Building Tension" write. Yes, a silent prayer is very helpful. I always say one before I go on. One never knows what the audience will be like. Have a blessed day writing away...................

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 2/12/2024 2:27:00 PM

I felt that same way my first day of teaching...the stage was my classroom, my students my audience...teenagers are a tough audience. I was afraid but determined but eventually became comfortable as an 'actress' in my classroom, purposeful and filled with joy.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/17/2024 7:48:00 AM

Thanks for your note. Glad you enjoyed my "Building Tension" write. Yes, your classroom was your big stage filled with tension. I know kids of any age can be a tough audience. Been there with my books... Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/12/2024 12:54:00 PM

great take on the theme, Paula. I felt like that in my really young days when they had the kids give talks t church. it was horrible because my mouth or eyes would twitch from nervousness and I thought everyone could see that. Thankfully I overcame my fear of public speaking and now I kind of like it.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/12/2024 1:07:00 PM

Thanks for your note. Glad you enjoyed my "Building Tension" write. Being on a big stage behind the big curtain can fill one with tension/can be horrible. It is great you overcame the fear of public speaking. I enjoy speaking to others. Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Vijay Pandit

Date: 2/12/2024 12:45:00 PM

Aptly on the the theme, Paula. You described the tensions building so well, I felt it as I read your poem.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/12/2024 1:03:00 PM

Thanks for your note. Glad you like my "Building Tension" write. Also glad you felt it as you read it. That put a smile on my heart. Thanks... Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 2/12/2024 12:05:00 PM

- I have read my poems in front of the audience ... yes, my knees were shaking ... and I was dry in the mouth :) - Great written, Paula :) - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/12/2024 12:39:00 PM

Thanks for your note and for your best wishes. Glad you enjoyed my "Building Tension" write. Hugs... Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Sam Kauffman

Date: 2/12/2024 11:49:00 AM

Perfectly described, Paula. The cadence of your words wonderfully illustrates stage fright, panic and the "what if I fail?" syndrome! If this is for a contest, best wishes. Blessings!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/12/2024 12:38:00 PM

Thanks for your note and for your best wishes. Glad you like my "Building Tension" write. Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Sara Kendrick

Date: 2/12/2024 11:17:00 AM

A case of the nerves is perfectly normal, but the show must go on. Thanks for sharing this one with us and I am sure we have all experienced this from time to time. I appreciate your visit to my page. Sara K

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/12/2024 12:37:00 PM

Thanks for your note. Glad you like my "Building Tension" write. Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 2/12/2024 10:59:00 AM

Yes. Building tension. God bless you. love, Gina

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/12/2024 12:36:00 PM

Thanks for your note. Glad you enjoyed my "Building Tension" write. Being on a big stage behind the big curtain can fill one with tension... Have a blessed day writing away.........................

Frank Sheehan

Date: 2/12/2024 8:24:00 AM

Great piece. It captures the essence of the moment. Nice rhythm and flow.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 2/12/2024 8:33:00 AM

Thanks for your note. Glad you found my "Building Tension" write to be a great piece/it captures the essence of the moment. Your kind words put a smile on my hearts. Thanks... Have a blessed day writing away..........................

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 2/12/2024 8:18:00 AM

"Building Tension" ~ Date Written 2/12/2024 ~This or That, Vol 23 Poetry Contest~Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh