Jennifer Wallace Poet Rhyme

Stage Fright

Stepping out—daring the chance
Fixing my gaze, suspended in trance
Are all of these eyes turning my way?
Palms dampened; thoughts start to stray

Feet rooted firm within this pen
Draw in breath—then count to ten
Don’t falter; there’s nothing to lose
Do I seem right—are these the right shoes?

Just picture it—they’re all undressed
Blink it away; don’t second-guess
There are truths in you, aching to be heard
You won’t collapse—that fear is absurd

Let every word find its rhythm and flow
A few more lines, then you can go
Lift your chin, you’re doing alright
Pressing through this flicker of fright

Stay to the thread; don’t waver now
Summoning courage, though unsure how
Nearer and nearer, the ending in sight
Exhale the fear—inhale the light

Let your voice echo, steady and clear
These thoughts were never meant to disappear
Heat floods my face, a rising red
Still wrestling storms inside my head

A line misplaced—don’t apologize
A bead of sweat stings in my eyes
Now to the closing paragraph—
A measured pause, a softened laugh

So close now—don’t retreat
Stand in the tremor; stay on your feet
Lift your gaze into the light
And walk straight through your stage fright

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Mpho Kgaswane April 19, 2026 at 12:49 PM Hello Jennifer, lovely poem that describe well that moment of feeling frightened ?? Jennifer Wallace May 7, 2026 at 8:18 AM Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words. *Stage Fright* came from a very real place—those quiet moments when fear and vulnerability seem louder than our own voice. I’m grateful that feeling came through in the poem.