Fear

Everything in this world has it's own boundaries.
I am an organism bounded by fear.
Defined by that which I can not see or touch.

I fear being a failure, not measuring up.
And yet, I also fear success.
The unknown of both outcomes paralyzes me.

The fear comes like a silent rogue in the night.
To pilfer opportunities.
And I let it rob from me that which could be.

I feel pulled to imagine and create great things.
Vulnerability is the price.
And that brings my fears to the forefront.

Do I have skin of the needed thickness?
Can I stand the pain of criticism?
Or will it pierce me to my creative soul?

I sit and look at that which I want so to do.
A stare instead of action.
A window shopper in my very own life.

I am looking for the well of fortitude within.
An inspiration to drive me,
For I want to break out of these clasping bonds.

I steel my nerve, and propel myself forward.
But at the last I hesitate.
Afraid of what I might find beyond my boundaries.

I slump back down to only watch again.
Defeated by none but me.
With the boundaries of fear even closer now.



Copyright (c) 1999  Keith L. Williams