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

i conquer my fear 
by submitting daily to 
its bitter wisdom

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

too much pleasure is
hurtful but with virtue we
need fear no excess

courage has value
to the exact extent that
fear opposes it

fear taught man to shape
dark howling winter into
the dog at his hearth

a man is happy
who thanks to reason has ceased
to hope or to fear

i fear the unknown
but courage has wisdom that
fear can never know