Poetry In Class

Poetry In Class

Why should I open my mouth
And from its gaping awkwardness
Expect poetry to come out?

Why should I hope
That I spent enough time,
Put in enough effort?

What is the measure of my words?
What is the reason to my rhythm?

Why am I standing here
When my head is spinning
In a race with my speeding heart?

Why did I think
This was a good idea
To dig into my chest and offer up my heart?

What is the worth of my vulnerability?
What is the cost of my insecurities?

So many questions
But here I am
Refusing to be stopped
Just because the dot at the end
Grew a fancy curved hairdo

I'm scared
But that's when I'm courageous

I'm nervous
But that's when I'm courageous

I'm uncertain
But that's when I'm courageous

My courage is a fire
Fueled by this significant realization:

This is
First and foremost
My voice

And my voice
Will first and foremost be
Measured by me

Thank you for listening,
But I've come to the end
The end of this challenge
And the beginning of the next

So I measure myself
And I find myself

Victorious

So, why write this poem?
Why speak these words?
Why do so aloud
If I'm so afraid?

Because there is no victory
In bowing away from fear

And without victory
I cannot inspire.