Fear

ˈfir

noun – an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
verb – be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful.

the coals at my feet

the coals at my feet 
burn less indignantly than 
the fear in my eyes

there are no heroes
there is only this awful
noble decision

i twist as i fall 
and cling to the rumor that 
there is no bottom

i conquer my fear 
by submitting daily to 
its bitter wisdom

how much misery 
derives from evils that will 
never come to pass

what is more lofty 
than for a hundred men to 
march forward to death

i remind myself 
that i am not descended 
from cowardly men

i can imagine
anything i want on the
other side of fear

my fear sows the seeds
of brambles that bind my heels
and obscure my path

i stand before you
and speak without fear because
i read every day