Whenever I speak, I feel as though
I’m on stage or on the witness stand.

My testimony has someone’s life
hanging off every word.

Each syllable is like an in breath taken just above
the wave’s crest before going down again.
Speaking in order to save a life, my own life.
I must convince the jury that I’m
a credible witness to life’s incidental happenings.

This happened—
Yes…
This way, and at that time—
Yes…
In that order—
Yes…
With those results—
Yes.