Unparalyzed

That funny thing called fear

keeps us from taking one step

toward what we want

because we freeze up at the thought

of not having things turn out the way

we picture

Paralyzing fear guarantees we will never

get where we desire to go

(perhaps fear is not so funny a thing after all)

But taking one step,

breathing one breath,

performing one act

toward the intended destination,

the hoped-for dream

Makes fear dissipate

Fear fears courage

and shrivels at the sight of it

fear loathes love

and scurries away

in its presence

perhaps fear is itself

a coward?

Fear freezes me, but only temporarily

when I move,

fear stops dead

in its tracks

and I am free to live,

to be – and dream,

again.

Diane Carver Mann 2018