From the New, Expanded Kerfuffle!

Coming soon on Lulu.com and maybe some other sites as well:

LEON MCLEONARD

Leon McLeonard will say it out loud:
“Don’t expect me to get lost in the crowd.
“My voice may crack and my face flush red,
“But I’ll spout out what I want from my head!”
Leon didn’t always act so, you know,
He was far too frightened to think he could show
That right under his skin he was full of surprise.
“I better leave the excitement to those other guys,
“They are smarter and taller and better looking, too.
“They’ll just stare me down like I belong in a zoo.”
No, not for a kingdom would he utter a word
And risk being trampled by the popular herd.
“I should have said that, and I should have said this!”
But all he could manage was a cowardly hiss.
He’d think and he’d think, and he’d walk away mad
Never ever giving voice to the thoughts only he had.
Then one day when he’d listened too long
An idea in his head went off like a gong!
He opened his mouth and he stammered it out.
“Good grief,” they sneered, “what’s old McLeonard on about?”
They snickered and giggled and generally jeered,
“That McLeonard dude sure does talk weird.”
But Leon kept speaking right on through their din,
And, sure enough, a few began digging his spin.
So he marched on from one idea to the next
As if he were reading from a prepared written text.
It was hard for Leon to believe, but it’s true.
They gathered around and asked questions, too.
Now, even on days when he’s filled full of fear,
Leon McLeonard speaks with good cheer.
No more Leon silent as a cloud.
No more Leon lost in the crowd.

I perform this for 4th and 5th graders. It's great fun if I REALLY, REALLY let myself go!