There I Stood

There I stood, Safe, Taking deep breaths- Overwhelmed with fear. Then I took a step, Stepped to the edge. In a flash The curtains raised And you shoved me To my fate, Because you knew I would be disheartened And back away. I knew you were still there, Urging me to face the music. There I stood (again), Wide-eyed and trembling- All eyes on me. My heart began to race; My hands became sweaty; I thought I would surely faint. I retreated. I ran and I reached, But I couldn't get to you- I panicked. You looked puzzled, So I just settled down, Stood still, And tears came. You came to me With open arms, Embraced me; And in an instant, You pulled away And my knees felt weak. You ushered me to go on. I turned and I faced them, All awaiting. I began to cry, Until I recalled the feel Of the hug you gave me. I looked up, And the audience's eyes All welled up with tears- Every one wanting to hold me. I dried my face and, Unashamed, I told my story. Every painful detail. They were attentive, Non-judgemental. All knowing the pain I had. When I had finished, They all came to comfort me, Shake my hand, Embrace me, Dry the remaining tears. After some time had passed, The majority had left- No goodbyes. Few had stayed. They made me smile, Reveal my laugh once again. They assured me All would be fine, And, eventually, it was. I recall, for a second, I was not being addressed, So I turned, Looked back to The drawn curtain. You were not there. I felt almost like panicking again. I couldn't believe it. The one who had pushed me, Encouraged me all the way, The one who helped me through it Was gone forever. There I stood. Lonely again. Scared again. Crying again.