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Stepping Up To the Microphone

I walked with the Aura of confidence like it wasn't pretend Shoulders back Chin up as each leg would extend Contemplating the kind of message I wanted to send A fair bit short of handsome Yet was impeccably dressed Would anyone be convinced? I hoped they'd be impressed Up to the podium Ready for my speech The microphone crackled My voice came out as a screech More than a bit embarrassed I was redder than a peach I sat and cleared my throat Adjusted the glasses on my nose Picked up where I left off as I crossed all of my toes The crowd started to encourage me As to my feet I finally rose Soon I had forgotten Moments earlier I had froze So if you ever find yourself in such an awkward place Take all the time you need it's a speech, it's not a race The audience wants to help you Those who have done it know your pain If they together encourage you You'll be able to do it again With more practice comes confidence In the end it won't be pretend You are the one and only you With a special message to extend.

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Iris E. Sankey- Lewis

Date: 12/1/2015 2:29:00 PM

Thanks for sharing what's significant actions of worth.

Paul Callus

Date: 11/18/2015 12:21:00 PM

Wise and encouraging, Richard. I've been through a similar ordeal! // paul

Wilma Neels

Date: 11/18/2015 11:53:00 AM

Richard, this is a great read tonight. Reminded me of last month where I was the guest speaker at my old High School's valedictory ;) wish I read it then.. was quite nervous but it all went well in the end.. Awesome write, hope your day is good one..

Eileen Manassian

Date: 11/13/2015 1:29:00 PM

Great poem.....You are very handsome. The only untruth in the whole thing. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/13/2015 6:04:00 PM

You are kind dear one. I look better from a distance;0)

Cherl Dunn

Date: 11/13/2015 1:06:00 PM

Great work here my friend, I to have trouble standing in front of a crowd and talking, but you've done well here to express these feelings, enjoyed the read today and thanks for your words on my poetry also, cheri and thanks for the spelling advice I'm not offended at all but thank you so much it did sound much better, cheri

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/13/2015 6:07:00 PM

Thanks Cherl. Glad I could help, I am in need of constant help in that department and I have been helped many times by my friends here at the soup.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 11/13/2015 8:25:00 AM

I totally relate to that my friend, Ricahrd, when I started giving speeches I faced the same problem but little by little with teaching, politics, radio and TV didn't care at all. Now I am retired. When I tried last year after seven years of inaction to give a speech at a cultural center I found myself not in good shape!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/13/2015 8:45:00 AM

Yes, practice is important.

CayCay Jennings

Date: 11/13/2015 12:43:00 AM

You wrote a poem for me, thank you, Richard. You probably don't remember our written dialogue about how afraid I am of public speaking! Logically, I know people won't hurt me, but, illogically, I just know they won't be entertained or whatever my goal would be. Are you doing ToastMasters? A good write and certainly food for my thoughts ... CayCay

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/13/2015 8:20:00 AM

No I just had the first few lines pop in my head and the rest just followed when I wrote it down. I do public readings as part of a group called "The Inspired Word Cafe" as well as some promotions for my book. I have worked for Bell and Canada Trust so over the years I have had to speak and present publicly. It always creates some Anxiety.

Mark Woods

Date: 11/12/2015 9:59:00 PM

I'm doing a charity auction tomorrow night, and people ask me how I can get up in front of a large crowd with such ease and make them laugh and have fun. Every single time I am absolutely nervous as hell but the line "the audience wants to help you" is so accurate and I find once up doing my thing I'm a totally different person. Great poem

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/13/2015 12:13:00 AM

That is so true, a bit of tension beforehand helps quite a bit.

Rainbow Promise

Date: 11/12/2015 9:33:00 PM

Great write, and a seven! This is exactly what I need when reciting before a crowd. By the way, I write poetry for special occasions sometimes. Please see Lungs Without Air and Death Of A Youth. Wrote this for a young cousin to ease the shock! Thanks for visiting my site and commenting too. I recited one for my elderly aunt funeral that's not on the Soup. Blessings.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/13/2015 12:15:00 AM

Thanks for visiting Rainbow.

Michael Tor

Date: 11/12/2015 8:39:00 PM

This reminds me of performing live on stage drumming. I feel the pressure being responsible for every beat. Knowing I'm playing with a band that has been together for thirty years. They know every fill on their 56 song roster asking for perfection. My base went out on an electric set of drums and had to do four songs without the base. Panic came over me but like this write my band members and audience were rooting for me because they knew something was wrong. Enjoyed this write Richard.

James Marshall Goff

Date: 11/12/2015 7:55:00 PM

Hi Richard! Went to hear Bly one evening with Ma at University of Minnesota....he said something about public speaking (poetry, in our case!) I will never forget and have used it a few times to great success! (in my own mind!) He said the "secret" is to fully focus on the enunciation of each deserving word....by doing so, one must speak slowly and fear of large crowds disappears....it works! Have taught this to children in my extended family to great success! (again, in my mind!) Good one! jimbo

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2015 8:23:00 PM

Thanks Jim, that is worth pondering.