Hit the stage

I sit as the pit of my stomach lurches
jumps, twists, does cartwheels, will I remember my verses?
I'm sweating buckets, head in a spin
like a first date when the nerves kick in

I feel sick, just want to run from here
drowning in this whirlpool of fear
I watch from my seat, need to get a grip
the room spins, a drop of sweat drips

Friends surround, but I hear no sounds
except for the crowd in my mind pulling me down
drowning under a flood of rhymes
I Try to reach the surface but the depths are full of vines

hear my name through the cloud of sounds
feel like a rabbit being stared down by hounds
i turn beetroot red, like a rag to a bull
throat goes dry, feels like I've been eating cotton wool

Led to the stage, like a death row inmate
to the noose of a mic laying in wait
I wish i was at home, tucked up in bed
all of the words have left my head

The blood rushes to my face
what if I'm a disgrace?
I hit the stage, I want to fall into it
want it to open up, swallow me in its pit

Tension mounts, I hear my heart beat
I've lost my mind, left it at my seat
open my book, my eyes cant focus
words seem blurred, feel so hopeless

I stutter and stumble over words that I fumble
at first they feel jumbled, am I too loud or is it a mumble?
begin to get a flow, the tension lightens
my words start to slow and my mood heightens

The crowd claps and cheers
not the boos or jeers I feared
a rush as the waves of adrenaline drag me along
I've stood up to my fear and feel I belong

Thanks for reading.
Peace & Love.
Kyle.