Failure is not an option,
Pressure is piled high.
Expectations stand tall for me,
In the event I know I must fly.

But the high bar seems unreachable,
And the beam far off the ground.
As nerves posses my body,
I can barely make a sound.

I am afraid of failure,
Of the laughs, the jeers, and sneers.
I am scared of not meeting my goals,
And letting down my peers.

I am scared that I will slip,
And end up on my face.
Letting down my team and coach,
And maybe even sporting a brace.
 
It is time for the event to start,
And I am a total mess.
My hands are clammy, bound to slip,
Will I buckle under the stress?

But today I will take a leap,
As I finally conquer my fear.
I am no longer afraid of failure,
And the path ahead is clear.