The shadow of fear
disguises itself as
a branch without leaves
waving in the dark of night.
Or the touch of the wind
grazing my cheeks when I turn a corner.
It’s the sound of a car
rolling slowly to a stop
behind me.
Or the person I see walking
in the distance who morphs into
a threat from long ago.
The shadow of fear at times
leaves me doubting
if breaking my silence was best.
Or if the truth was better left
in the dark, unsaid, silenced
in the protective bubble that
perpetrators depend on to thrive.
The shadow of fear often brings
the past soaring into the present.
But then, the sun shifts.
I hear birds singing, children laughing
and a friend recounting their weekend.
The shadow retreats; withdrawals
to the edges, lurking, waiting
to see if the past will preside
or the cleansing exhale will bring
me back to the present, to the safety
of the here and now.
The shadow of fear has many disguises
and with time, I will eventually
unmask them all.
©Alexis Rose, updated 9/2018, Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash
Thank you for reading my books: If I Could Tell You How It Feels, and Untangled, A Story of Resilience, Courage, and Triumph
Thank You! ❤️
LikeLike
I truly connected with this. The imagery and personification of fear was beautiful to read and sent a powerful message.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, such a wonderful play of words!❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sheri! We just keep chipping away at those fears dont we?! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel this one deeply. It takes time, but eventually the fear ebbs. And it is never a good thing to keep quiet, it is always the right thing to speak up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! ❤️
LikeLike
Beautifully expressed. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You, Cathy! ❤️
LikeLike
Thank you for bravely writing about fear and how it can creep into our days uninvited. Keep exhaling … the masks are finite!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You, thats very well said. 😊
LikeLike
Hi Alexis! I am getting by and thank you for your lovely post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is what fear does to you, it breaks you down, tests you, to see how far it can push you before you break, and, in facing up to all your fears, you will break down, but that’s okay, the important thing about that is how you manage to FIX yourself up after being broken.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gina…Hi!! I hope you are well. Thank You for your kind words my friend. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautifully crafted poem Alexis, fear has so many shapes and faces, knowing them and refusing to allow them to take control is so vital for our well being, i loved every word you spoke with such truth and clarity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Summer ❤️❤️
LikeLike
Beautiful xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good words though. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. This is what comes out of my writing head at 4 am. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful words today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, eloquently stated.
LikeLiked by 1 person