A roar of voices

Murmuring,

Laughing,

Whispering excitedly.

And as her voice

Was added to the growing din,

She rose above

The hubbub,

Clear and sweet,

With sweating palms,

And nervous feet.

Speaking loud and clear,

Cutting through the chatter

Gossip,

Joking,

And laughing.

And as she spoke,

Her speech to give,

The crowd fell silent,

Caught

In the spell of her words,

The alluring snare of her speech.

And for just that once,

That one clear speech,

All was silent in the crowd.

All was quiet in the peanut gallery.