Stage Fright

A gazillion pairs of eyes
Staring right at me.

Scrutinizing me from tip to toe
As I walk slowly:

Hair neatly braided,
And a tunic faultlessly ironed.

I know what I want to say
Like I know the back of my hand.

And yet, as I look up
To face the crowd

The stage swims in front of my eyes,
And my courage flies out of the window.

Indifference

Lying on my bed,

I stare.

The walls, the ceiling,

The discoloured paint.

Outside my window,

Seasons go by.

And yet,

Nothing touches my soul.

Growing up

It's silly how I feel

The need to hold your hand

At every crossing

And guide you across every lane.

I can see 

That you no longer need

My mothering

But old habits die hard.

You're no longer the little boy

You once were;

You've grown up

But I haven't.

You're embarrassed

To have me around

Fussing over

In front of your friends.

And yet

This is what I've done for years.

Where do you expect me to go

And make a new start?