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

[Andrew John]

Oh, a lovely image of a dragon fly, great to read. I've enjoyed this.

By the way, that reading of mine of "Ballad of Reading Gaol" is now on Celtica Radio: a prog by a chap called Dave Carrington, it's called "Squaring the Circle". It's 18 minutes. You may enjoy it - or think I'm rubbish! :-) It's on celticaradio.com.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew for your review. I have just listened in to Squaring The Circle. I think you read beautifully. I was reminded of the great Richard Burton as I listened to you. That is high praise indeed. Will listen again later. Many thanks for the link. Much enjoyed.

[Andrew John]

Oh, thanks so much, Chris. I'm so pleased you caught it. Been using the old voice for, ooh, lots of years.

[Weeping willow]

Beautiful story poem as it took me through the journey of her fears ;-} Nicely done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Weeping willow. Pleased you enjoyed this old memory, recently resurrected. Have a fine Sunday and all good wishes.

Chris

[moog-drika]

I really love the simplicity of this piece. Having such people around who instill courage into your spirit is a blessing actually. I wish most were like that boy.
It's just a dragonfly but can signify almost everything we are scared of. It may not be very easy to conquer fears, but that little push can be super powerful sometimes to break them into pieces.
Strong message, well-delivered.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you moog-drika for your welcome review. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best.
read moreThank you moog-drika for your welcome review. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best.

Chris

[Lorry]

Beautifully captured Chris. I just wished someone in the playground told me not to be scared of them, but seeing as how I still haven't seen one, ever, I shall stick to what I know and that is, they have dragon in their name, so I can only assume, like I did as a child, that they are fire breathing dinosaur sized flies! And I don't care how much they tickle, I'll be the one running and screaming like a girl like my penguin onesie is on fire. 🐧🔥😊
A lovely then and now tale, but still, I hope my onesie ain't flammable 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Lorry you made me smile. The thought of you running and screaming in your big boy penguin onesie, ha ha. Running away from a harmless dragonfly. Have a wonderful Sunday and a big thank you for your visit.

Chris

[Lorry]

It's the same as screeching at the sight of a house spider. We know they aren't a danger to us, but they creep about on too many legs and although they can't fly, they can climb walls and dangle from self made webs! We still shriek when we see one and think they are gonna attack us to defend their territory, which is my house so it's my bloody territory. We know we shouldn't kill them, but they are just squatters and until they start paying their share of the rent, as well as clearing up their own Web mess, then I'll just flick them into my tupperware spider death chamber, because I don't like touching them and then go throw them into someone else's garden.
And that is why I dislike creepy things, as well as flying things with dragon in the title of their name! 😊

[Betty Hermelee]

This is so tender, the way you portrayed this scene of one little person helping someone else overcome their fear...in such a delicate way... and so there was hope for this little girl to care, maybe love and protect this little creature after all...a gentle story with a happy ending...
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for your lovely review. Be sure to have a wonderful Sunday. All the best.
read moreThank you dear Betty for your lovely review. Be sure to have a wonderful Sunday. All the best.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear Chris! Always appreciated
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

oooh you were a brave girl Chris,
it was wonderful advice the boy gave you but i think even now i would be afraid to do that .
I have had a butterfly that invited itself to sit on my knee , but to cradle a dragon fly i am not so sure .. i thought they could bite?

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Stella. I think I much prefer butterflies but I have certainly lost my fear of those little blighters. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

For me, I find this somewhat humorous because it mirrors my long ago reaction to what is actually a very beneficial insect
They remind me of a squadron of vengeful, prowling spitfires, divebombing the enemy mosquitoes who immediately vacate the area
More good stuff from your talented pen (computer!!)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Love the description of your own insect. That made me smile. Have a great Sunday. read moreThank you Dave. Love the description of your own insect. That made me smile. Have a great Sunday.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

This has a vibe like Mary Oliver’s poetry.
Nicely done.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Winston, your response pleases me so much. Thank you my friend.

Chris

[John Prophet]

Learning as we go. Beautifully done.
JP

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit John. All the best.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

A good story. We sure need to face our fears; I still do every day. Some people are fearless and some are fear-filled. Some fears are healthy for survival and others are not healthy which harms survival and relationships. Some come from depression, low-self esteems which lots of people have. It takes positive steps and courage, bit by bit, to overcome.