pacing behind the curtain
in anticipation
hoping I will play my best
a small wave of doubt sweeps over me
I shake it off
the chords are all tuned
2 minutes until show time
the next few minutes go fast
it’s time to go on
I walk on stage my whole body tingling
I pick up the guitar
everyone is ready
suddenly the curtain opens
I look out into the screaming crowd
there’s the cue the beat of the snare
everything becomes a blur
I fall into a trance
faster and faster
nothing can stop me now
chord after chord song after song
beads of sweat running down my forehead
as I hit the last note
I fall back out of the trance
I throw my pick into the screaming crowd
as I walk off stage

~Christina F