Fear

My Fear and I sit side by side.
A tree growing on me- it sinks in my chest
Roots and leaves crowd the little space left
Between my heart and teeth.
Bones and organs and blood- they are mine.
This Fear, it feels more like mine.

I often cry these days-
Tears trickle down and are absorbed-
This plant grows by 2 inches.
My height is still the same. I am an adult- 8 years old.
The only growth that can now be achieved is horizontal.

It’s difficult to not nourish Fear.
It listens far more intently than any other.
Yet, I try to talk to it in terms that are kind.
A branch is bravery. Another is effort.
A mirror in front- we reflect.
Purple flowers bloom. A spider swings to and fro.

Fear does not sit inside of me now.
It has grown beyond me. We are friends.
Sometimes, I look into its eyes-
I stare back at myself.

This Fear has a name. But I don’t want to call it that just yet.

~insight07

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