Biographical Poetry posted April 9, 2023


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It affects more people than you might think.

Performance Anxiety

by Rdfrdmom2

When in competition
especially as an individual
in a non-team sport
one's personal fear
is often the foremost foe
 
Performance anxiety is
an ongoing cross to bear
rarely the result
of an endeavor gone horribly wrong
rather, a critical inner voice
repeatedly saying,
"You're not good enough,
strong enough,
poised enough"
to do the thing one loves 
 
Yet, we choose to make the speech,
to play a sport
or an instrument --
to become a part of something
larger than ourselves
not so much to prove to others
we are made of the right stuff
but to quiet that inner critic
even if just for this event
as, once it is done,
the fear is not permanently quelled
 
Performance anxiety will reappear
as soon as the next event is announced - 
a lifelong journey
rarely shared with the audience
 
      jbh
1-12-2023
 



Free Verse Poem contest entry


I wrote this while awaiting the beginning of the results of a multi-school Forensics Match in which my granddaughter had participated. While taking her to school earlier that morning, we discussed how performance anxiety could be both good and bad. She seemed to get some relief when I told her I had performance anxiety every time I had to speak as a school administrator and as a speaker for a group I represent. We agreed that once the first word came out, we settled down and finished the job. A special thanks to VMarguarite for the use of Little Leaguer.
Pays one point and 2 member cents.

Artwork by VMarguarite at FanArtReview.com

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