Presenting

Oh god, I’m up next.
I can’t hear a thing but
the thump in my chest.
I can’t make a sound.
They won’t be impressed.

My turn! I stumble or walk
up front. I read my name off
a slide. I look up. I talk.
(In English or gibberish?)
My tongue trips, and they gawk.

I reach my thanks – I’ve shot my shot.
“Are there any easy questions?”
None. “Any hard ones?” A lot.
Weak answers and back to my seat.
I hear “Good job” – I think not.

1 2