Success

Success
by Vivian Gilbert Zabel

The young woman stood on the stage,
knees trembling as leaves in a storm.
Formless faces and judgmental judges
waited to watch her attempt to sing
become a failure on which to pounce.

Her mouth opened; her mind gave command:
no sound erupted -- no note, no word, no sigh.
She swallowed a groan before trying once more
while she silently prayed for success,
Please help me for I can’t do this alone.

When the pianist struck the first chord,
the freed voice sent soaring music
through the air, thrilling listening ears.
The applause after, she never heard
as she stumbled to the beckoning wings.

Tears filled her eyes hiding sight
and flowed across her pale cheeks.
“What’s wrong, child?” the maestro asked.
“Hear the roar? You are a sensation.”
His hand led her toward the stage again.

She stumbled from behind the curtain,
confused and bemused by the acclaim.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered.
“My first try failed. I was worthless.”
A soft laugh came from the man by her side.

“My child, don’t you realize?” he proclaimed.
“True confidence comes from inside, not out.
When you dig deep within and don’t give up,
that’s when you succeed more than not.”
Then the maestro placed the bouquet in her arms.