A FEAR TO OVERCOME


from the ABC set Poems

As I step from the bus,
deprived of sight,
walking I reach through the atmosphere,
my determination resolute.

Free me from my restraint,
the unconfined space in the atmosphere pervading.
A pleasant fragrance fills my nostrils,
breathing in the aroma of pasties and pies.

A hundred voices fill my ears,
different tones, some cheerful,
some suggesting sorrow, some anger,
so I exercise my mind in a positive way.

Adherent friend's from the past,
memories stored and recalled,
a reminder of life's rewards,
in which I can recall.

In every place, people mass,
I feel their presence all around,
walking toward me, suddenly I feel terror,
unlike I have ever experienced.

My dog beside me, at my feet,
his presence transfers some confidence.
"Oh why am I here?" I ask myself.
A brave decision to overcome my fear.

A resolution to face the unpleasant emotions,
caused by my dread of crowds.
"What is fear?" but of the mind, a restraint.
No my shackles cannot possess me.

My spirit will swiftly hasten,
moving as if through thin air,
unflinching, taking deep breathes,
my heartbeat slows, as I carry on my way.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

Silver Spun Sand | December 15, 2010 - 17:24

You manage to convey the feelings of panic felt by the narrator very convincingly here, Jennifer...And then the reasoning that comes in stanza seven.

Very well done on this one;-)

Tina

celticman | December 15, 2010 - 18:25

Yes I liked the everyday-pasties and pies-elements of fear.

skinner_jennifer | December 16, 2010 - 08:45

Thankyou so much Tina for your kind comment, I based
it on a blind lady, that I see quite often on the
bus, when I go to town. I think blind people are so
brave.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | December 16, 2010 - 08:46

Hi celticman,

Yes don't you just love that smell of pasties and
pies? They say your senses are stronger, when you
cannot see.

Thankyou for your comment.

Jenny.

MistakenMagic | December 17, 2010 - 17:25

'A hundred voices fill my ears,
different tones, some cheerful,
some suggesting sorrow, some anger,
so I exercise my mind in a positive way.'

- love this stanza, Jenny. This is a brilliant poem, highly original and a great exploration of the sense.

Magic xxx

skinner_jennifer | December 18, 2010 - 09:32

Hi Magic,

thankyou so much for your kind comment, much appreciated.

Happy Christmas to you and yours and also, a
prosperous New Year.

Jenny.

well-wisher | December 22, 2010 - 13:39

I thought this well conveyed the speaker's (your?) fears of going out amid crowds of people but it was also positive and encouraging.

I have alot of anxieties about going out in public, myself. I've been mugged four times and it's left alot of fear in me; especially when there are lots of young men or teenage boys around.

skinner_jennifer | December 24, 2010 - 10:12

Hi well-wisher,

that is absolutely awful, to have been mugged, I do
know what you mean about the anxiety of crowds and
public places. I too get unsure and tend to try not
to look at people, it's so sad that we live in a
world, where there is so much fear.

It must be twice as bad, for someone who is blind.
Thankyou for your comment and for sharing your
feelings.

Jenny.

Kahdai | January 3, 2011 - 19:57

Jenny, I know the felling so well,! I wish I could be like this poem and keep calm in crowds, well done if it is like you, goodness though if I was blind I would be so worse K xx

skinner_jennifer | January 3, 2011 - 20:28

Hello Kahdai,

I totally agree with you, I cannot imagine being
blind, very frightening.

Thankyou for reading and commenting.

Jenny. xx

berry (not verified) | November 9, 2011 - 07:54

Choosing arrangement Mulberry replica Handbags do not abject you are compromising with the quality. You can own both functions and money at the above time.wholesale pursesreplica balenciaga handbags These online shops will activity the best annual for you. handbags wholesale Acquire arcade fun diplomacy Replica Mulberry Handbags. Wish you a able purchasing.

Denzella | February 24, 2012 - 05:32

Hello Jenny,

This is a very evocative poem. I really felt the walker's fear, the inward fight with oneself to summon the courage to carry on. Fear is so life limiting! It stops us from doing so much.

That aside, you write beautifully, Jenny.

Moya

skinner_jennifer | February 24, 2012 - 09:21

Wow! thankyou Moya,

I'm so pleased you enjoyed reading this.

Thankyou so much for letting me know.

Jenny.