Facing Fears

(a memory of a first fear)

i recall
in times gone by
a girl wide eyed with fear
staring into the dimness
where shadows danced
to a night light’s tune

peering over white cotton
her young ears listened to
the click click clicking
of dragon flies flicking their
long menacing legs on
the ceiling in the gloom of
an upstairs room

too afraid to scream
too afraid to dream

till the boy in the school yard
told her to gather her fears
in the palm of her small hand
and she did

she called on all her courage
took a deep breath
before catching from the
long grass of the playing field
at morning break
a resting specimen

where she cradled it
delicately within cupped fingers
and thumbs of both shaking hands
closing her eyes tight
trembling with trepidation

six thread legs tickled her skin
and soon it surprised her
that it was harmless and
more afraid of her
than she was of him

so she opened the hold
gently blew him a kiss
said her goodbyes
then released him
without harm
into a waiting blue sky

Reviews

[Andrew John]

Nice one, Chris. I do remember being a little afraid of insects and spiders; no more. I do recall fearing bees, but a friend taught me beekeeping - and how to wrap up and wear a veil. I came to love beekeeping (not doing it any more, though). Thank for these thoughts.

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Andrew, many thanks for the read and sharing your thoughts. The bee keeping sounds interesting. All the best.

Chris

[Arundass TP]

A psychological poem good work

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your kind review.

Chris

[Troy Henson]

Facing one’s fears is never easy. Then there are insects and I for one have a horrid fear of spiders. I hear what the boy in the school yard is saying but I’m still on the fence with handling this fear. Nicely written.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Troy for your thoughts. Pleased you stopped by today. Happy Sunday to you.

read moreMany thanks Troy for your thoughts. Pleased you stopped by today. Happy Sunday to you.

Chris

[AYVID N]

This is such an endearing poem on confronting our fears, dear Chris. How beautifully you described the decoding of the fear, what the little girl went through and her moment of triumph. With a bit of spirit, there is almost nothing that can not be overcome and the little boy in the school yard knew it. The poem also reminded me of how children can be so wise and courageous. The concluding para was simply awesome.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks DIVYA and apologies for late response. Have been on holiday with family. Pleased you enjoyed the poem. Have a very happy Sunday.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Interesting how our fear priorities change as we age. When I was a kid the atomic bomb didn't worry me, but Boris Karloff scared the living hell out of me.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for the smile JTB. You are so right:) All the best.

Chris

[NormaZ]

Loved your metaphor of leaning to face your fears. Also, I feel very encouraged when in your profile you say it’s never too late to try something new. I am 67, and I remember writing poems in high school, but didn’t come back to it until a year ago. I’m still trying to face my fear of the inner critic!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Norma. So pleased you enjoyed this poem. That inner critic can be such a pain. I still have it, but it is more a whisper now than a shout. Go for it. Face your fears head on and good luck. Will look out for you.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... I saw a Dragonfly in the Evening light hovering over my Garden of Orange clusters of Verdana. Soon Pumpkins will smile with the glow of Candles... in the meantime I will linger withe the Roses as the Petals fall asunder where Violets wander under cover... when it snows until Spring once again ... Heaven knows. quietly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Your response dear Pat is beautifully
scented, full of colour and a gift. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

When we face our fears, we realize they were actually silly. It takes a lot of courage to face fears though. I love the concept of gathering fears in the palm of one's hand....and then releasing them. So well written! Filled with rich imagery. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Lydi** for your encouraging review. So pleased you stopped by. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

Came back and read this again. This is really outstanding poetry, Chris.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston for your support and encouragement. Pleased this write was worth a second visit. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[Soren]

Chris I loved this poem and metaphor for all fears. Above and beyond the the subtle wordsmithing that enhances the story is the message itself. It is in the confrontation of our fears that we loose them. So easy to say and hard to do. Courage comes not from having no fear but from facing it. The rhyme in the second stanza is engaging. This is reinforced by the rhyme in the next two lines. Then free verse until the last two stanzas. Such a wonderful structure for this poem and message as if the fear that takes the rhyme away is defeated and returns in the end.

[Chris Shaw]

A wonderful review Soren. Very much appreciated. A big thank you coming your way. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris