Fear Rising

Fear Rising People from here People from there People coming from everywhere And wouldn't it nicely be If it were something as simple as thee And yet today I know it is not For fear likes keeping me stuck in this spot Fear rises, and creeps, strangles, stops me cold Says poetry is just a sport for the old Not reaching for a dream foretold Not declaring myself strong and bold Can I change my tune? Can I come from a new field? Can I dance with my fear? Strike a new deal? Poetry allows me to stretch And discover New lands not yet seen New possibilities now brother And Fear, it is there too Like to hold me in place Keep me small Kick dirt in my face That battle I am told may not end with the band All is well I declare And from that I will stand And now I turn and give you the pen Write 100 words or fifty Or maybe just ten. Inquire, just start Put pen where it lands Don't worry about me I won't be in the stands I will be on the court With a Dream not yet told That's me declaring I am strong and I'm bold