I’m terrified
that is all
but it’s not enough
you do not leave me
you follow me like I’m your prey
you’re a ghost from my past
terrorizing my waking dreams
holding me back in fear
I’m terrified
but that is not enough
to break me like shattered glass
because I am no porcelain doll
And when I rise
I question if you will be unmasked
and when you will stop hiding
because I won’t cower, I won’t flinch
what I fear won’t haunt my forward march
whom I fear won’t weigh me down like Atlas and the world
because: how do I change? how do I grow? how do I know?