the book report

my knees would knock

together,

my throat go dry,

my voice hoarse,

my skin would flush

with fear

as i stood in front

of the class

to give my book report.

slowly, i stumbled

through the words,

lost as my bones

curled, my tongue

thickened.

and nothing much

has changed after all

these years. for in front

of two

or three, down i go,

shy and blushing, 

scared to be judged,

afraid to be seen

as to who i might really

be.