I walked up the stage and closed my eyes. I could feel myself sinking. The pressure was building up and felt as if I was putting a burden on others.

Each word has meaning, or a meaningless void, however it is used. In my head, I could hear the consonants, the phonetics, and sharp vowels cutting right through me. I was reassuring myself, “Keep your composure, hold it together.” Not everything I wanted to hear or mean, is exactly how I interpreted it.

I could hear the whispers behind me, clouding with judgement. Time held still and I was standing with isolation itself.

My view was blurred, unclear, and dark. I wasn’t fully thinking. My eyes, a window to the soul. I could see through it, but no one I thought I knew before. It was dark, cold, and empty. I could feel it, but wasn’t there at all.

Swimming through my stream of memories, however, barely in control. I could see myself. Or was that really me? I opened my eyes and reality set in.

As the light came into view, I wanted the world to revolve around me. But it wasn’t. It was about my mark and my legacy. Of who I am, and who I will be.

I then heard the music from the quiet song from within. Building up the courage to continue. The lights shined on me. I played my song to the end until one sound drowned me out. The one thing I hoped for. The one thing I desired. 

Approval.