Being judged by even the unaware,

blinding spotlight which seldom care,

escaping eyes which are asked to stare,

the stage invigorates what we do not dare.

Shaking on the inside, the hands play dead,

wanting to hide, the character marches ahead,

seeking strength by the side, anxiety is fed,

fright of the moment numbs the head.

Like a knight in a deserted field

the frightened too learns to wield

and transverse the acts of play or life.

It is here that the characters are revealed.

What started feebly may not end the same,

fright of the beginning gives birth to a new name

which in the end makes others stand and celebrate

a life, a performance and a character in the frame.

The show which never stops, slows down a bit

to appreciate a victory over self doubt.

Every maestro whose show you did visit

deep down knows what Stage Fright is all about.