Eyes closed.
Deep breath.
and iBreathe
in. out. In.
Out. in
Begin.
Words pour out of my mouth like
Silk.

You could hear a pin drop.

My brain and my mouth lose
Touch.
I'm not sure of
the words I
Speak.

My hands are shaking.
I grasp the podium,
but through the cold sweat
it's hard to get a grip,
and iBreathe.

My face is hot,
I swear, I must be running
a fever,
and iBreathe.

My leg is trembling.
I promise, I'm not seizing,
my brain and my leg are
simply no longer
connected by the neurons
that keep me alive,
and iBreathe.

Both feet flat,
Flat like they are
Flat without an arch,
and iBreathe.

You know the words,
just Remember,
and iBreathe.

Breathe, even though
your heart is
catching in your chest,
and iBreathe.

Breathe, even though you
Cannot
catch
your
breath.
and iBreathe.
Just Breathe.

End-stopped line.
Finally,
I breathe,
Gratitude.

Applause,
and iBreathe in deep,
Relief.