Fear

Phobia 2

She didn’t seem to grasp the concept of a phobia
I shook my head in agreement and laughed
I know when I told her I clipped out on hills
Because I have a hill phobia
She asked me what I feared most
Stalling and falling I’d said
She told me all the reasons that wouldn’t happen
And why I should clip in and push and pull
While she stood while not moving at all
On a hill clipped in and standing and talking
Which left me annoyed while still afraid
My hill phobia and height fear can’t be
Persuaded away by rational argument
They’d be long gone since I’d have
Dissuaded myself from my foolishness
And I’d have stood on top of that dome
Luxuriating in the breathtaking 360 view

Choices

Life’s transitions sunset night dawn breaks inviting open
Doors wide expansive vistas dizzying beauty calling step out
Walk through outstretched arms open heart pounding which
Route why no color-coded trails for life heart’s desire obscured

Endless choices mesmerize scintillate potentially changing
Life’s direction like a pinball’s ricochet joyous terrifying
Overwhelming options tempt confuse the lost and level headed
Inciting hearts and heads into battle for the upper hand

Fear immobilizes cautious and uncertain heads confidence
Activates hope full hearts questioning yearning gathering weighing
Target fixed one step at a time obstacles shrink passion
Quickens desire propels forward giant courageous strides

Phobia Forged

Phobia forges an unapproachable rim
The fear of heights first emerged at the Spectrum
1968 family outing to see Peggy Fleming’s elegance
And beauty in pale green chiffon gliding to Hey Jude

Ten years old, embarrassingly crawled up the stairs to our row
My dad both angry and kind walked me down to the concourse
Racing heart calming coke and popcorn bribing a smile
World Trade center years later reluctant to go to roof

Young cousin enthused the edge is so far no worry of fear
Riding the escalator the observation area open, broad
Expansive and wide terror enveloped no way down
Without walking the entire square of the roof hand

Over hand making people move to hold the thin life line
wire 50 feet from the edge still filled with choking fear
I love the Grand Canyon but the edge is the enemy
Looking out at the beauty never turn your back

Don’t get too close my loved ones I’ll have to look away
Anchored in a rocking chair looking out at the beauty
Where did this phobia come from I hate its power
Yosemite does this hike have narrow overlooks to avoid?

my grand canyon

Amber vermilion ruby copper
Infinite prodigious beauty beckons
Magnetic draw to wonder supreme
Unmatched vastness entices, stuns
Striations reveal endless hues

Coral scarlet gold umber
Sun glints on narrow precipices
The brink invites the brave
A closer look, a peek into the depth
Teal ribbon dizzyingly far below

Khaki orange salmon apricot
Proximity excites, fear grips
The edge repels seduces coaxes
Frozen feet keep their distance
Phobia forges an unapproachable rim