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?!.

[Marie Anzalone]

Mine has red eyes and stands slavering in the darkness waiting to tear me from limb to limb. It was a long time before I could leave bed at night to get up and use the abthroom. Sometimes I could even hear it breathing, feel its breath on my skin. Like you, I had to name it and face it down before it no longer hunted me.

[Patient Poet (Yos)]

Sometimes we even dont notice when the fear come into our life , and stay ... you put it beautifully in that one .... Hope you are able to turn off the lights by now

[Shutterbug]

We all have fears about something in our lives. It is really how we handle those fears that makes us who we are. Very good write.

[Doctor JKC]

Call a demon by it's name and you've got it by the tail.
And what about the fears we acquire as we grow older?
You have me thinking.
Hugs, Jack

p.s You could copy from a phone book and it
would be gold! Heeeee!

[Alicante lullaby]

a little bit of fear is harm less,I mean it is quite normal and essential...we don;t look at the naked realities and fear is a opaque mask,we have to have things hidden....bravery,too much,of it leads to insanity...it is an awesome feeling being childish again...,as far as I am concerned reasoning aggravates my fears...reality is more terrible than illusions...

[Collect-Eye]

I shared those same fears as a child..and they spilled over into adulthood..
I used to be terrified of the attic, where I, ironically, now live..
I had powerful nightmares here as a young adult..but I've cleared and changed the energy and am finally realizing my own power.
When you're in the earliest stages, people will project their fears onto you, and they'll eventually realize they can't..as you grow stronger, they will eventually have to face their own awareness and realizations.
this is why I believe in the power of subtlety and the principle of non-action..because there in lies the true power.

[TL Boehm]

deep. I get this more than I am able to explain. I was the kind of kid who wouldn't look under her bed at night, wouldn't sleep with the closet open...and now? I keep the light on for my own...
Wonderfully stated, Emily.

[zig]

for me i guess that fear would be named loneliness.

i really liked this poem emily, very warm, very well thought out. enjoyed very much.

zig

[E. A. Fielder]

I was deathly afraid of the dark until I was about 16. I had an over active imagination as well. You descried the fear very well... no name but you think its there.

[AK]

...gorgeous!