“What do you think?”
The most terrifying words in the English language.

I lick my lips,
Swallow my doubts,
Try to say what is on my mind
Like a normal human being.

But the fear paralyzes me.
The fear of saying the wrong thing,
Allowing others to scrutinize
A part of myself I am still unsure of.

So many faces around the room,
Eyes boring into mine-
Invisible drills-
That stare and question.

My mind crumbles into sand,
Erasing everything that had been in there.

Only the ghost of my thoughts
Manages to escape from my mouth.
Sharp admonitions for not trying harder
Echo through my head.

The eyes around the room squint,
Eyebrows move up
In questioning glances
And confused expressions.

My mind clears.
I know what I want to say.
Hastily, I voice the convoluted jumble of ideas again
With a louder confidence.

Then I quickly turn away,
Quietly hope for the best,
And am surprised to see
A hand raised immediately.

“I agree.”
The most beautiful words in the English language.