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Back to Issue 3 - Fall/Spring 2013

I Should Be Up There
Derek Lewis

Red curtains and stage lights
Shine so bright
I should be up there
Spilling my plight
Bearing my soul
So even with eyes closed
You still see my insight
I should be up there
Giving my view on biblical text
The latest news on gun violence
Political ban on automatic techs
I should be up there
Should I blame it on the Internet Blogs, tweets and text messages
Fear that the crowd will never understand the message
I guess this is life's greatest lesson
Without the first round there is no second round
Without the second round there is no third round
I should be up there
Using my words to build a bridge to the moon
Or share my most intimate sexual secrets
To change the mood in the room
Maybe something humorous
After all laughter is the best tool
Especially in a quiet room
I should be up there
Lord knows I should
But I lean back in my chair
Stare at the stage in despair
Impressed with the talent that's up there
Maybe next time when fear takes its annual vacation
Maybe then I'll share my vivid imagination
I should be there.