Death by Waiting

Waiting and waiting. A through K line 1, L through Z line 2. Papers are shuffled through. Number 26. Stretching and waiting. Secretly scanning the room, Making predictions and receiving glares from others doing the same. Sweaty palms, elastic legs, beating heart, anxious mind. Show time. This is it. One chance. Now or never. Learn it, do it, wait. More waiting. Waiting and waiting. Recouping, but not really, Adrenaline rushing, body aching, mind spinning Gathering around a posted piece of paper. Amazing how a simple piece of paper can depict your future. How it can lead you forward or completely destroy you. Joy and waiting. Feet barely touching the ground with excitement. Avoiding looks from down casted teary eyes. Filing back into the room, More waiting. Waiting and waiting. Nervous bodies go in, relieved faces come out. Tension building. Competition is on full blast and there is no knob to turn it down. Show time again. Pressure to impress, be memorable, be deemed “special” by complete strangers. Performance quality is key. The necessity to hide your flaws, your self-doubt, your worry. Anxiousness. More waiting. Waiting and waiting. The work is over. Your body is finally able to relax, but only a little. The many days of waiting for a letter, an email, a phone call, still lie ahead. Waiting and waiting. Death by waiting.