Nearly grinning
Holding it in
Trap the whopping smile
which is trying to stretch across my face
like a cat in front of the fire

Radiator cheeks
Laser-blazing stares
I look down at my shoes
which dance like nervous beetles
beneath my trouser legs

Everyone claps
At last
I can breathe again
and grin
But not too much
or they'll say I’m a big head

Shining
like a sore thumb
Standing out like a star
Popcorn bursts in my belly until finally
Miss Clouds mouths, "Sit down."

I pretend
it's not important
as kids eyeball my prize
But really I want to rewind time
and do it all again

©2010 Mark Bird