Fears contort my stomach, compress my throat,
and diffuse their stench
in the atmosphere
unbound to thieves of peace that I can name.
Fears treat names like traps and cat carriers—
they rush from cause to cause
to escape tricks,
detention, arraignment and certain death.
What if I promised not to pick them up?
Fears might be wooed
by chamomile and toast,
fish eggs, cream cheese and strawberry jelly.
I could escort them to my home, show them
domesticity is not jail,
nurture
is not poison and hope is not nonsense.
Fears might then let their own fears go, and, tamed,
move from my stomach
and into my home
where we will practice kindness and take love slow.
For my prompt Poets United ~ Midweek Motif ~ Fear
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2017 Susan L. Chast
fear will overtake if we do not overcome..it is everywhere these days..great reflective poem Dr Susan..your creative talent shines brighter
ReplyDeleteand, tamed,
ReplyDeletemove from my stomach
and into my home
where we will practice kindness and take love slow.... love this antidote to fear.
taming fear with hope, kindness and love is definitely one way...i find the third stanza interesting & love the progression of the poem...
ReplyDeleteI wish, more people would openly act, on the ideas that your poem expresses, so elegantly, Susan. Maybe, then this world will be, one filled with love and compassion to all. Call me, a dreamer, with rose coloured glasses, who refuses to remove them, for anyone or anything.
ReplyDeleteIf only we could refuse to pick up those fears! If only we could lead them away...somehow...to become kindness and domesticity. If only there were on reason for fear. Really a great poem for today's political climate, Susan.
ReplyDeleteOh this is absolutely gorgeously penned, Susan!❤️ You give voice to both fear that seems to be rising and hope that yet blooms in our hearts. Especially love; "Fears might then let their own fears go, and, tamed, move from my stomach and into my home where we will practice kindness and take love slow." Thank you as ever for an inspiring prompt❤️
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
I really like the resolution of this poem. I think you are finding a way to deal with the fears that beset you.
ReplyDelete"Where we will practice kindness and take love slow...." How I love that line! There is a wonderful message in this poem, my friend,
ReplyDeleteImmersing ourselves in the good and kindness yet to be found is a powerful way to combat fear, Susan. Your words are beautiful and hopeful!
ReplyDeleteI felt your poem as comfort. I am grateful to you.
ReplyDeletewhat an imaginative poem - love the image of " chamomile and toast," [struggling to comment as a wordpresser open id on all blogger's blogs - trying name url]
ReplyDeleteTo me, what makes this poem stand out is it offers us and ends on a "bright note". Thank you
ReplyDeleteThis put to mind Rooselvelt's inauguration speech in 1933 "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" in the middle of the depression where the country rose to those comforting words in times of trouble. What a difference to the present!
ReplyDeleteA nice hope!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I want to fill my home with fears....i say, let the fears be.
ReplyDeleteI like the reference to home being safe and nurturing no matter what is happening outside.It is our own little world whether it be a room or a house.Leave all the fears at the door. Nice poem.
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming concept, Susan, taking the monstrous fear and making a pet of him by taming him... For surely taht is what we do when we overcome our fear.
ReplyDelete