In DPS, the school I go to, their is an annual session held called ‘Just A Minute’, short for JAM. A specific student from their entire grade is chosen and at the great day they are given a topic and have to speak on it for a complete minute. No more, no less, on the spot. This year and also the year before I was selected, and I’d like to tell you how I felt in the form of a poem…:
Slouching in the backstage,
Knees knocking in fright
A couple seconds later
I’d go into the glaring light.
Me. Alone. The audience.
That’s it. I’d have to speak.
My head focused on the topic
My brain bright, body bleak.
I wouldn’t see the on-lookers
In the dark Audi where they sit
But the spotlight right upon me
They’ll see me. This is it!
TAPASMI! Calls the narrator.
Oop! It’s my turn!
My hair is flying past me
My insides begin to churn.
My topic to me is given.
I see it on my chit.
Suddenly I’m elated
My eyes are bright and lit.
Ideas pile inside me.
I begin to say all.
This is easy and quite awesome
In light-headedness I might fall.
So much I want to share
So much I want to tell
I converse with audience
Before rings the bell.
Chat-chat, tell-tell,
I overload with speech
Till the very last happy moment
I hang on like a leech.
And, oh, the victory!
First prize I have won!
My friends begin to hug me
And upon me shines the Sun.
Tapasmi 