Fear
Is a funny
Creature.

It cowers inside
Jockeying for position
With your heart
(racing)
And lungs
(gasping)
And sometimes — oh —
With a rude jolt
To the bladder.

It takes up space
Preferably occupied
By your hopes
(don’t bother)
And dreams
(don’t dare)
And sometimes — ow —
With a painful blow
To your ego.

But Fear
Is just a
Creature.

Take it out
Into the light
Hold it in your hand
(tickle it, see what happens)
Put it in your pocket
(pull it out to frighten the others)
And sometimes — yes —
Look it in the eye
And tell it no.

Because Fear
Is just a
Creature.