ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The first couple of times I recited in front of an audience were terrifying, and many times I questioned why I was doing it. These days I feel a little more comfortable, though I doubt I'll ever be free of nerves, but loving what your doing makes a big difference.

WHEN I GET ON THE STAGE TO RECITE

"What are you doing"? I ask myself quietly,
as I contemplate what lies ahead.
"Nobody is making you do this,
so why put yourself through this dread"?

My hands are all sweaty and shaking,
my legs are like jelly_it's true.
My heart skips a beat "did they call me?
hold on while I run to the loo".

"Just remember to mention the author,
make sure of your diction and flow.
"Next contestant" I hear a voice calling,
now take a deep breath and lets go".

After naming the poem I'm reciting,
I'm off in a place that feels right.
I'm lost in the words I'm reciting,
When I get on the stage to recite.

Good one mummsie,
It's just before my name is called that I
feel a call to the loo too!!!
Totally relate.

Good on ya Sue.

Sorry to be a pain, but since this is a workshop line 11 sounds to me to have 4 stresses. Since the other lines have three stresses each, that sounds like a mistake.
Line 1 seems to have 4 stresses but to my ear that doesn't seem to be a problem.

I believe you I have seen you recite and you are very very focussed. better than me, I always come last in the performance.

Thanks Wen and Neville. Right again Neville. Nothing gets past our Neville I have made the necessary changes. Thanks for pointing that out Neville, as you say, it's a writing workshop and we should aim to get it right.

Cheers
Sue

....so that makes it a right-ing workshop!

Behave Wendy, do you want to join the crowd in the naughty corner.

Well Nev, it does get lonely up here in my ivory tower!
Anyway, Sue started it!

So does that mean that even when we're right we're wrong Wen?

Are you a secret solicitor Sue? Twisting words?
You'd make a good poet.