Shaking Like A Leaf Poem by Alessandra Liverani

You've just found out the bad, bad news
They need someone and it's you they choose
To speak in public, you've never done it
Now you must, you cannot shun it

The fateful moment has now arrived
You walk on stage, oxygen deprived
You cannot do this, but you know you must
These people have put in you such trust

The paper in your hand's shaking slightly
Your voice comes out a little tightly
But as you speak, your fear decreases
The trembling of your body ceases

The next time you are asked to do it
It is as if there's nothing to it
You stride on stage, a seasoned pro
Receive applause and start to glow

If someone told you here today
Right now those fags you must give away
You'd stare out blankly, frozen stiff
You'd rather jump right off a cliff

You used to be much more than able
To not smoke for days, you had the label
Of being one of those who did not partake
You hadn't yet made your mistake

And you can be now what you once were
Do it now, do not defer
You don't want to stay in jail
You can do it, jump the rail