It took 36 years to realised I’m scared

I live fearfully

Fearing failure

Fearing rejection

I used to think of it as vigilance

Heightened awareness of danger

But it is more

I read that fear is the mind killer

The little death that brings total obliteration

So I will face my fear

Head on

Fight it

With courage

To not be cowered by fear of

Being despised

Suffering rebuke

Being birsmirched

Forgotten or ridiculed

And be strong

Certain of myself

And the love that surrounds me