The Competition

One day when you least expect to succeed.

Be brave enough to have a go.

With rocks weighing down your chest,

and bile in your throat.

They think you can’t do it.

They wait to laugh,

because they think you’ll fail.

Take a deep breath and dig in deep.

Don’t let the mind speak stop you.

Your skin is pale and clammy,

your eyes blink in the blinding light,

you’re feeling overwhelmed

by the thunderous clapping and pressure to perform.

Your nauseous tummy rolls,

you suck in some air.

You’re feeling quite unwell.

As the camera pans in close,

you know you’ve got this.

For after twenty meat pies

You’ve won.

Karen Hendriks