“No! I told you I refuse to do it. I just can’t handle the pressure with my anxiety.” The woman looked upset and paced back and forth in the kitchen.
“Come on babe it will be fun, you’ll see.” He sat down in a chair at the table and added, “You know your words are great.”
“You are just saying that. I’m an amateur and some of those people have been at it their whole lives.”
“Didn’t you tell me you started writing in middle school?”
“Yeah but that was lonely crap.”
“Come on, for me babe. You just need to read one poem on stage. And who knows, you could get that book deal you have always wanted then.”
“If you drive so I can take an anxiety pill. I will read ONE very short poem.”
“Oh, honey that is great! Now let’s go get ready and print out one of your best poems.”
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – refuse
Leigha Robbins 
Well written!
Thanks Sadje!
You’re welcome 😉
I highly recommend everyone attempt one open mic in their life.
A local poetry group has a big open mic show every September. I’ve gone twice but have yet to get the courage to stand up on that stage.
It’s not easy, I’ll tell ya. Once you do it though, it’s the best feeling
The closest I have come is karaoke. But that is in a dark bar behind a monitor with a half distracted half drunk crowd.
Haha… that’s how they all are!