Attention

by Zachary Anthony

ATTENTION.
Overwhelming,
normally unconscious,
Compulsion.

You throw yourself out there.

Was it worth it?
Everyone is laughing at you.
Everyone is cheering for you.
Everyone is trying to empathize with you.

But it feels wrong.
Your outburst,
Big or small.
Even now,
You want these words to be read.
Is it a good poem or bad?
If good, will people link it back to me,
Think highly of me?

ATTENTION.
But what is this snag in the pit of your stomach?
You emerge to consciousness,
See the first option:
Acting, dancing, joking, etc.
No matter how phony it may feel.

Shouldn’t you love to act or dance or joke?
But why do you just love the attention?

Second option:
Write for yourself,
For the fun it entails.
Sing from your heart,
Uncaring,
Only to give life to your own two feet.

Now,
You say,
I will abstain.
But how long can you withstand the pressure?
Attention
Attention!!!
ATTENTION!!!!!