FT

Why don't we ever talk about
the stifling anxiety
the heart thudding through your entire self.
Heart rate increasing
how does anyone deal
with concealing
shaking fingertips.
"Hello, I am scared to walk home alone."
You know
keeping it simple.
I don't walk home alone
I don't
I can't.

Why was I taught to be scared
and why didn't anyone stop me.
Why didn't anyone tell me to be brave.
Why didn't anyone tell me, to stop crying
why, instead,
did they validate my fear
comforting me,
I wish someone had yelled.
And told me
it was no big deal,
it was time to get over it.
Maybe it was out of fear themselves,
of losing me,
into a dark cloudy evening.
I was always afraid of losing the trail.

3/4/2016
Riley Welch