Maybe it’s the caramel candy colored violin,

that makes your ears bleed at,

every out-of-tune note that is played,

or the shuddersome track event,

that makes you jittery,

ten days before,

hands and legs shaking.

A swim meet,

maybe,

that causes your body to ache with terror,

you dragging your feet to every event,

or a tennis tournament,

that has you sweating from every pore,

as dread courses through your body.

Maybe it’s the note in fifth position,

that is played vexingly flat,

because your pinkie does not stretch,

and you screech your bow to a halt.

Or maybe it’s that one second,

you need to chip off,

Like a woodpecker and its tree,

to place first in the event,

when you're a stride or kick,

too slow.

Maybe it's the power,

you require for a strong backhand,

so the ball shoots over the net,

catching your opponent in consternation.

It could be your sore,

calloused hands.

your tender sprained ankle,

throbbing unbendable wrist,

or simply the fear of such events.

Maybe it’s the fear of an irrevocable scar,

from a burn called failing,

maybe the possibility of,

being embarrassed again,

Before everyone,

EVERYONE,

that prevents you from even trying ever,

again. 

Tell yourself,

I can do it,

I AM PUTTING FORTH MY BEST EFFORT,

I AM GOING TO WIN,

I AM GOING TO PLAY THE BEST,

I AM

I WILL.

I AM TALENTED,

I CAN DO IT,

I AM OVERCOMING MY FEARS,

MY FEAT,

I AM,

I WILL.

Square your shoulders into unbreakable formations,

straighten your back like a yardstick,

open your eyes wide,

wide as a soccer ball,

repeat the mantra,

scream it!

Over and over,

again and again,

a thousand times,

until you,

believe in yourself,

in your power.

Until it is tattooed into,

every cell,

every organ,

every part,

of you,

inseparable from you.

Practice,

practice,

ten times harder,

ten times faster,

ten times longer,

OVERCOME THE DESIRE TO,

STOP,

TO QUIT!

Massage your hands,

ice your ankle,

cure yourself of that horrid,

dark disastrous disease of,

FEAR!

Stitch your braveness to your face,

accept your efforts,

Persevere from your setbacks.

bring home the medal,

bring home the ribbon,

bring home your pride,

bring home your faith.

Now tell yourself,

I DID IT,

I WILL DO IT AGAIN,

I AM NOT AFRAID

NOTHING WILL STOP ME.

I CAN.

I WILL.

I AM.

-Vibha Thirunellayi Gopalakrishnan