Waiting to Exhale

Stomach clenched
Fingers tense
A furrow in my brow
A million thoughts
Tumbling through
Yet quietly
My pain I bow
I raise my chin
And smile a smile
A warm hello here
A flirty nod there
Melody in my voice
Holding back a stormy gale
A big gulp of family and friends
Joy and laughter
And all the while…
I’m waiting to exhale.