Public Speaking

This is a poem about the author.

Listen, I'm not a performer or an orator

I've explained this to you many times,

But you behave as if you lack understanding

 

Everybody has different ways and abilities

It's unreasonable to expect everybody to be the same

Some people are speakers, others aren't

 

I'm an author, not a conversationalist

I honestly don't want to be in the spotlight

And I don't like many eyes staring at me at once

 

You make me feel guilty and uncomfortable

Don't give me any assignments or responsibilities,

For I'm not a dependable person as I once was

 

Unfortunately, I can't read or recite dramatically

I'm always tense when I stand before an audience

Even if I'm addressing people whom I know well

 

The performers alone can’t make the show a success,

But you only praise the ones you see performing

You don't appreciate the work I do behind the scenes

 

I can't speak fluently due to a speech impediment,

So I have to avoid ridicule and embarrassment

Public speaking is for people who can speak well

 

I don’t like to engage in oral discussions

When I have an opinion of someone or something,

My writing figuratively does the talking for me

Author's Note

This one is personal.