stage fright

you have stage
fright.
fear of  being found
out
for the fool
you really are.
sweat grows
beneath your arms,
your throat
constricts and you
can hardly swallow.
your heart beats
like a snare
drum at the mercy
of buddy rich.
or ginger baker.
you can't face
the audience,
you've built
a house of cards
with your days
and nights. you can't
go out there and
be found out,
for then what?
it's best to stay
put behind the screen,
hidden in the shadows
with the curtain
never raised.