Notes About The Poem

If I Weren't Afraid

If I weren't afraid I'd have unwrapped 
                  the barricade I tightly twined
              around my poor heart to protect it.
            Please don't blame me, it is as fragile...
                 as glass, so I guard it unfailingly
               
I'd have shown you all the bleeding scars on my soul
       I'd have revealed the depth of my love for you,
                  but my insecurities betrayed me,
                     and now you've deserted me. 
                       Oh, if only I told you then!

                    I regret not muddling through
               the fleeting chasm of apprehension.
                   You see, the trouble with me is...
                  I'm unsure of myself sometimes;
                  plagued with lingering self-doubt.

            If I weren't afraid I'd have courageously
          cracked my shell of vulnerability; revealing
     my true essence to you, but it's much too late now. 
         I can't help but wonder what might have been.
                     If only I could turn back time!



If I Weren't Afraid Poetry Contest (Winner: 1st Place)
Sponsored by: Line Gauthier
Date written and submitted: 09/13/2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Kauffman Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 11:44 AM
Amazing words articulating hindsight regret Edward. You have wonderfully expressed "if only..." Congratulations on your win.
Alex Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Beautifully expressed. Congratulations!
Ibeh Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 12:41 PM
Thank you so much, Christuraj:-)
Amankwah Avatar
November 13, 2019 at 11:25 AM
Good way of expressing inner realities. It's a marvelous poem, Edward.
Ibeh Avatar
November 13, 2019 at 2:44 PM
Thank you, Ahyia:-) I'm glad you liked my poem.
Pappadogiannis Avatar
October 1, 2019 at 12:09 PM
Congrats on your win Edward. Great piece!
Ibeh Avatar
October 1, 2019 at 7:11 PM
Thank you, Francesca:-)
Mcgee Avatar
September 23, 2019 at 10:50 PM
Fear holds many from actualized dreams...congrats on your win Edward.
Babbit Avatar
September 23, 2019 at 11:55 AM
Regrets, I have a few but wow, can you put them into words. Nicely done, congrats on your win, I'm not afraid.
Ibeh Avatar
September 23, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Thank you, DM:-)
Ligon Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 10:16 PM
"If only..." It's always a wonder how different things could have been. Congrats on your earned placement!
Ibeh Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 10:58 PM
Thank you, Juliet:-)
La France Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 8:52 PM
Edward, congratulations on your great win with this amazing write !
Ibeh Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 10:57 PM
Thank you, Constance;-)
Scars Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 3:05 PM
yay! I knew it would be a winner :) Congrats dear Edward ;)-luloo
Ibeh Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 3:30 PM
Thank you so much, dear Luloo:-)
Hamilton Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Very touching Edward, congrats on a top win!
Ibeh Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 3:31 PM
Thank you, John:-)
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 2:43 AM
A heartfelt beauty Edward! Congratulations on your deserving First Place win! : ) xxoo
Ibeh Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 9:51 AM
Thank you, Connie:-)
Mcintosh Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 8:21 PM
Congratulations on a top win :) You deserved it and I wish you many blessings always
Ibeh Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 9:20 PM
Thanks again, Regina:-)
Adams Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 6:33 PM
this is wonderfully penned, congratulations on your win my friend :) hugs
Ibeh Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 9:20 PM
Thank you, Sandra:-)
Dietrich Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Congrats on your worthy win, Edward. Such poignancy.
Ibeh Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 9:19 PM
Thank you, Andrea:-)
Andresen Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 2:49 PM
- Congratulations on your top winning poem, Edward - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Ibeh Avatar
September 20, 2019 at 3:15 PM
Thank you, Anne-Lise:-) I'm rather pleasantly surprised to win first place! I didn't expect it. Congrats to the rest of the winners!
Pandit Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 7:29 AM
Your poem is true to life and speaks for many, Edward..I felt the emotions. That quote is so powerful and it reflects in your words.
Ibeh Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 9:22 AM
Thank you so much, Vijay:-)
Mchattie Avatar
September 13, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Pick yourself up... dust yourself off and get back into the game of life. We are blessed... life is a marathon... not a sprint. Hope your heart heals quickly. Have a great day.
Ibeh Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 4:30 AM
Don't worry, David:-) I'm just fine. This is pure fiction, lol. It's strange for a married man to write a poem like this, but that's the direction my muse took me! Teehee...
Mcintosh Avatar
September 13, 2019 at 9:03 PM
This is wonderful and I hope it does well in the contest. Many prayers for you always.
Ibeh Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 7:13 AM
True, Regina:-) We all need prayers, and many thanks for yours! God bless...
Mcintosh Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 5:23 AM
I didn't think so... I pray for everyone or share blessings. It's just my way :) I can always use prayers and figured most people can.
Ibeh Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 4:31 AM
Thank you, Regina! No need for the prayers. This isn't a true write:-)
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