About Face
by Brent Harris

When I was young, in grade school, we had show and tell
I imagine this is still the case, though I don’t know for sure
Some students found this exciting, usually did it quite well
For others just a daunting task, which felt a lot like torture

Perhaps they were the ones teased and taunted, feeling lost
Hurt or shy, with no self-worth, preferred to fade from sight
A lesson they might need in life, such exposure at great cost
Sent nightmares the nights before it, such was their fright

Now, years later, both feet on the ground, I face this yet again
Not the twenty-five or thirty I faced in my fourth-grade class
Nor do I show my new pet, but pieces of my heart and brain
My audience the whole world wide, to whom, I may be an ass

Scary, because I want to be there, show the world my babies
Like any parent, I would show my art, my words, at their best
Want my created children received well, no ifs, buts or maybes
With all of me inside each, all of them, I hope I’ll pass the test