Preparing to Speak

What did I learn tonight........
that when asked to speak to strangers
my stomach twists in knots
my feet glue themselves to the floor.

How can education of the mind
tame raging emotions that 
turn confidence into sour jelly
turn the ability to speak into mere babbling?

Must I become a puppet to script and dance
to have words normally filled with passion
edge with timidity from within my being
before confidence will rise again?

Freeing my voice to speak outside of the safety
of my personal soapbox is a task I am willing to accept.

“Clearly she was expected to say something, but panic 

at having to speak stole the thoughs from her head.”

~ Shannon Hale, The Goose Girl