On the Bottom Shelf

He made me ponder my greatest fear not ghosts nor goblins grinning ear to ear The one that I really fear most is the one peering back from the mirror Is he real or will he just disappear Will anyone remember he was ever here That person I present the one white washed and sanitized representing the best of me So I become a dim copy rationalized Manicured, self fantasized Will my true self ever be realized Or am I destined to be compartmentalized packaged pretty, thoughts pasteurized Does anyone else worry what others might discover A mother wife sister or brother The dark thoughts that make us shudder that choke the brain and threaten to smother If they could see inside would they run for cover So we protect them and ourselves keep bits hidden away on shelves Screaming for release but afraid what might happen if someone tells We ain't always pretty, stagnant water smells Instead bang the gong and ring the bells If it's inside release it with yells What will happen if we face our thoughts Is it really us maybe it's not Are we just scared boys and girls tied in knots Trying to push it all down deeper that stuff we've been taught Take aim, release those expectations another life can't be bought Make the best of the one you've got! For "What you Fear Most" contest.