What is the difference between
Talking with people and talking to people?
“With” brings unity.
“To” requires an approach.
It is that simple.

Approaching, however, brings complexity.
It can bring dispute,
It can bring rejection.
It requires courage,
A courage that causes anxiety.

I sit in one of many chairs lined up on
the stage.
A podium to my left,
Another student to my right.
Why does he seem to be so relaxed, while
I am sitting restlessly?
I covet his tranquility.

My turn is on the verge.
I aim to listen intently to others talk,
But all I hear is my voice fluttering,
Telling me to give up before trying,
Telling me to run away to relief,
To taciturnity.

It is my turn.
All eyes are on me,
Like the sun's rays beating on my skin,
My face turns rubescent.
My hands are clammy, aimlessly fidgeting.
I look down: My foot is tapping to its
own rhythm .
My mouth opens, stumbling on what it
had practiced to say.
What a courageous fool I must look like.