𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: "The Public Eye" by Kryztyn Tambis

 

Photo by John Lloyd Rondilla

Published by Samantha Angelica Salaver  

Date Published: May 18, 2023

Time Published: 10:08 A.M.

Category: Poetry 

Theme: Stage Fright, Struggles with public speaking 

 The words I wrote

were phrases and quotes

locked inside my head; they were sentences

that I'd clenched at the tip of my tongue.

Like a criminal being detained,

or an animal being chained;

I feared every tick

and tock of clocks, 

Like I was chasing time,

or maybe I was chased by time; 

until I lost the chance,

and then I'd lose my spine.

It was an ocean

of Oculothorax—hunting

for the craven lamb.

A feebled mind;

a diffident child,

whose lips were stitched; worried-sick.

My blood would pump

and pump, and they would jump and cramp

like a growing tremor,

like a raucous jackhammer.

My sweat would make

the painful rain; and they would fall,

Still unable to utter it all.

If only the seats were sat by ghosts,

I could've envisioned it deserted; 

I might even sing like Apollo,

and be the greatest paragon.

If only I could cease excessive consciousness—

I'd abstain from the apprehension of imaginary personage.

Yet, in the end, I still got devoured

by gutless wonders;

by shrinking violets;

by timid chickens—

Couldn't you see? I wished to stop!

I hoped they would listen.