Frozen.

Like a deer caught in headlights,

my eyes grow so big

that I'm sure they're all anyone can see.

Children laughing.

Parents beaming.

Grandparents boasting.

Silence falls

when a little old lady raises her arms.

The piano begins,

and a high soprano trill joins it.

A wall of sound

sweeps over my shapeless blue gown.

Palms sweating,

I add my voice to the others.

Few are in tune,

but no trained singers can match the harmony

of voices young and old

merged as one.

Panic swells when I remember

that soon the others' voices will fade

and mine will stand alone.

The words in my head shatter

as I try to focus.

A lone voice rings out

and I almost choke when I realize

it's mine.

Jaw moving,

throat vibrating,

barely breathing,

not thinking,

knees shaking.

For once,

I stand out from the crowd.