Getting up on that stage, 
Standing infront of the microphone,
The lights turn to spotlight you, 
They clap as you walk to the X on the floor.

Clinging on to your paper,
You feel your leg start to shake, 
You place a hand - to calm it, 
Doesn't work.

Turning to face the crowd,
Placing your paper on the stand,
That breath you take away from the microphone,
You look up - straight ahead. 

Notice the height of the microphone, 
Taking another breath - stabilising your leg,
Look at your paper, just once,
Look and smile. 

"Footsteps in the Snow",
No fear in your voice, 
Another breath to take in the words on the page,
Look at the crowd - choose your holding point. 

Slow down, 
No - speed up,
Breath, 
"my father crying as he held us tighter than ever before". 

Last line, 
Back to your starting point, 
Enunciate - don't smile,
Now smile.