I’m quaking with nerves,
My hands are full of sweat,
I’m fidgeting anxiously,
My heart is pounding wildly in my chest

I hear the final announcement,
And now it’s show time
Taking a deep breath,
I walk into the stage light

As I take my place,
I look down at the audience
A swarm of dark figures,
Waiting for us to commence

I take my position,
And the music starts playing
I look down at the crowd,
And it all clicks together

The dance starts,
And I’m not nervous anymore
Hours and hours of practice,
And I’m confident to go

I look down at them,
And feel proud
My face shining with a smile,
I know just what to do

I feel powerful now,
And I want to mock the audience
Because they’re down there,
And I’m all the way up here

I’m the one,
That’s shining like a star today,
While they merely watch on,
And clap and cheer after every performance

I’ve waited so anxiously for this day,
Practiced so hard for this moment,
A few minutes,
Full of so much meaning to us

It’s perfect,
The light,
The sounds,
The heat of the harsh lights,
It all fits together,
Bound tightly,
By the rhythm of my feet

I know my dance well,
We’ve done the same routine
So many times before,
Now why should it matter,
Where it’s performed?

And even if,
By a slip of the brain,
I miss a step,
I’ll collect myself,
And start back up again

And as the dance completes,
My heart resumes it’s wild frenzy
I stand up with a smile,
And await the applause

And neither am I disappointed
Because whether they liked it or not,
The audience always applauds
And the sound of the cheers and claps
Warms my pounding heart

My heart swells with pride,
And I bow deeply
The smile has never left my face,
Simply growing by the second

And as I move to leave,
I part with a bit of my happiness
Don’t worry, I tell myself
You’ll be back there, soon again