about things not named

and miles to go before I sleep

I never write about fear.

I don't describe

those emotions that spilled over

into adulthood.

The panic that was deeper

than the darkness.

There were never enough

flashlights or nightlights or porchlights

to ease my fears.

Eventually I started leaving

all the lights on

all over the house

all night long.

I still couldn't explain

the root of the fear

for which I didn't have a name.

It's almost funny

how quickly fear evaporated

once I had a word

for all those things felt

but never seen.

I've heard there is power

in a word.

I guess that's true.

 

Reviews

[emmajoy]

When small and petrified of thunder, our daddy, who would lie to his children, would wink then say, 'Chick, I've heard that thunder's the naughty angels slamming Heaven's' gates.' As I grew up I realised that there's postcard read for everything. We have to find Truth or create a comforting Excuse. Can still remember what falling/slipping was like when trying to copy my older siblings - was so darned crazy, left me with a height fear for ages. Still gasp when i look after an edge into near nothingness BUT... that gasp gives that precious second to know i can't fly, don't want to fly, want to stay safe. And that's what matters, staying literally grounded, physically and mentally - somehow. Perhaps my word is 'safe'

As they always have been, your words are subtly and beautifully laid, Emily. Phrase by phrase you've said your say, and gradually, logically and beautifully found your own truth.. And you know, you've guessed right, it is TRUE. There's always power in a word; it's the search for the right one that takes time. 'Power' is a truth, isn't it?!.

[Ken Simm.]

You say that is true and it is. We all can associate with this Emily and through that it becomes great and we become stronger.

[CD Campbell]

Hi Emily. I hear you. I'm glad you were able to name the enemy and defeat it. It's good to read your work again. CD

[Remolyne Unknown]

I guess we all have our reasons for our fears. Its what drives a part of us to be the way we are.
This speaks and I believe that, that is the best thing it could do.
All anybody wants is to be able to speak and for others to hear. I heard.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful writing.

[Corset]

I guess that makes sense, most fear the unknown, if it has a name it is no longer unknown, even unto itself. Pour la mastication, I will chew on this a bit, it makes one do that.

[Eve]

Beautiful imagery used in this poem. Wow. I love the way you compare the panic to feeling that is deeper than the darkness itself. Often times, we begin the fear the fear itself rather than the darkness, or actual thing it is that we are afraid of.
Truly beautiful poem that I think many can relate to.

[Elizabeth]

Simply naming a thing can somehow rob it of its power. Odd, isn't it? You have artfully captured the evolution of our fears from childhood to adulthood. Your work never disappoints, Miss Emily.

[Richard Man]

The contents of our personal Pandora's box are legion and nameless. The terror of opening the casket keeps it closed but if we could, with a deep breath, unclench our fists and prise our fingers from their self induced claws and with them lift the lid with full eyes open we would only find memories and the nightmares of childhood. You have named and tamed your monster: Let that be a lesson to us all. Thank you for this poem.

[Emily B]

Thank you for your beautiful understanding.

[m.s.early]

You reinforce my belief that poets must have a passion to feel beneath the surface and to understand it in a way that is more wisdom than empirical understanding. We won't write about it until it works itself up to the surface, the soul ejects it like a foreign object, and we dig it out with a needle.

Then it us, the other poets that will pierce ourselves with it because we understand the emotions without experiencing the circumstance, and our body will neither accept it until it is time for us to eject it, twist it into an entirely different composition by circumstance to be experienced as vicariously as we received it here.

Thank you for leaving the light on for us too.

[Emily B]

You understand.

[Jack V.]

Not sure I read this right, but I was smiling in the middle of this poem because I saw childlike behavior. It seemed like a remembering of your childhood. Good poem.