A stutter,

a slouch,

a quite tone,

a closed off posture.

The list goes on

off the ways I close myself off.

 

Don't speak up,

stay to yourself,

don't get noticed.

The things

I tell myself.

 

But the stage.

The stage saves me.

The stage brings me out of this shell.

 

The new poeple that I can be

on the stage.

None of them are "Rachel."

They are "Lois" or "Titania."

 

These characters have no fear

no anxiety

none of my problems.

But still,

these characters are me.

 

And over these 12 years

the characters have helped

grow me.

I am strong Titania.

I am intelligent Lois.

I am Rachel.