Ode To The Stage Poem by Ann Pattinson

Up on stage, the world changes into an oasis of light and beauty
where seas of people reflect a glorious shower of laughter and sniffles

I float above the crowd when an elder’s eyes crinkle with laughter
or when a tear streaks down a stranger’s softened face
my hard work touching them
and I beam with pleasure and delight

With my feet plastered to the ground
my face dampened by the sweat of fear and nausea
I slowly open my mouth to let out a voice
that is trapped and bottled inside me, waiting to explode
into a flowery, blooming vine of rifts, notes, and passion

My mouth stays clamped shut as the audience silently waits for
the notes to float and dance above their heads
I then close my eyes, and gradually let m my true self seep through
and I let these strangers experience my personal pleasure

The can now see the glory and depth of my soul
and they see the naked truth of me, and true personality
I sing as through I am in the confines of my room
my sound muffled so no one can hear
so I can sing purely and without fear.

My heart bursts with color and light,
showing the true colors, hues, and depth inside of me
I let myself rise off the ground into the rafters of life and confidence
and let my voice take control

A window is opened inside of my soul
and all of me is poured onto the stage
and into the hearts of these people.

They let the music wash over them, soaking it in
for a brief moment they are under my spell
and understand the power and intensity of the music flowing out of me
the melody of notes and harmony surrounds me
and I explode into a wonderful stream
flowing with passion and happiness
the song overtaking me

My vibrato feels like thunder on a beautiful summer evening
the notes traveling through the air as a bubbling brook through a green meadow
the music is calling my name, and I drift contently above the crowd
wrapped in shimmering glory, mesmerized by the sound coming from deep within me
the feeling is something words cannot explain, but can only try

I sing my heart out, letting the music fill me to a point
where embarrassment and fear have no longer any meaning
I am just myself
my heart wells up with intense emotions as the songs draws to end
my radiant smile dimming as I collapse back to the stage out of breath.

But while singing
reality morphs into a colorful world of bright hues and shades
that only the audience and I can experience
as my voice takes them on a journey through the wonder of music.