Poetry: Withdraw to the Edge (Poetry Workshop)

I was invited to a poetry workshop on Tuesday. It was a great experience and of course, involved writing and performing poetry. So, for the first time in my life I performed a poem I had written in front of an audience.

Before writing and performing the poem, there was an exercise to "get us loose" where we had to give our own eulogy. I have to admit that I didn't take this as seriously as others, deciding that I could fill for the allotted minute instead of saying anything honest or revealing. However my ad-lib skills weren't quite up to the task and a few nuggets of authenticity threatened to appear.

For the poem itself however, I wanted to be very authentic, and indeed was under instruction to be, so I wrote about where I am right now, hopefully you can relate in some way.

This is the poem I wrote and performed during the workshop:

I often feel like I'm on the periphery
The M.C. but not the main act
I step out on stage and welcome the world
Then slink away to the back

I often feel like an outsider
The one who is left out
I try to find my place amongst you
But end up lost without a route

I think I'm capable. Likeable. Loveable
I know what I'm about
But communicating this, it's tough
It's a skill I feel I'm without

I can spin a yarn
And flash a smile
And act like I have no doubt
But eventually I'll withdraw to the edge
What the hell is that about?!

Withdrawn, introverted, within my own mind
A space that's my personal hell
I second guess, I hesitate
And on each negative thought I dwell

I think I'm capable. Likeable. Loveable
And can free myself from this cell
I'm the author, auteur, director
And I value the story I have to tell

I often feel like I'm on the periphery
And perhaps that's just as well
I know I'm likeable
Loveable
Capable...
Of coming out of my shell

The workshop was organised by ONETASTE, and their website can be found here.