Throw down the gauntlet. It doesn't matter
If you want to flutter down, feather down, rain down
Into your own gutter; throw down
The gauntlet. You're like an alley cat
In an alley of salivating dogs. You're like
A lantern with broken panes and you're guttering out.
Don't gutter out. Throw down the gauntlet.
It doesn't matter that the butterflies in your stomach
Are throwing paving stones at riot police.
It doesn't matter that your fingers are shaking
Their way into the Richter scale hall of fame.
It's time to throw down the gauntlet and
Just kiss the girl already.

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An entry in Velvet Verbosity's "100 Words On Nervous" Challenge.