I am afraid of falling from grace,
Of bungee jumping into an adventure,
Only to have the rope snap, so I am
Freefalling.

I am afraid of burning bridges,
Watching the flames devour,
Only to realize later, that the bridge is
My only path to the higher road.

I am afraid of taking the plunge,
Because the water is so cold
That it freezes me in place,
And I am stuck underneath.

I am afraid of breathing so deeply
That my lungs are overwhelmed
And cannot handle the abundance of oxygen.

I am afraid of walking over sewer grates
And having them buckle under the pressure,
So I scream as I fall
Into the dark.

I am afraid of screaming too loudly
And crying to softly
And smiling too little or too much.

I am
Afraid.