For much of my life
I’ve been afraid;
It started with my shadows,
It’ll end with the grave.

I was afraid of falling
Off my bike,
Yet I kept on falling
Till I got it right.

I was afraid of what?
I didn’t know;
But knew that school
Was the place to go.

I was afraid of silence,
When the talking stopped;
I was afraid of the water
Till I belly-flopped;

I was afraid of strays,
Cats and dogs,
Till I met yours
And saw their love.

I was afraid of bullies,
Big and bad;
Till I stared them down,
They were small and sad.

I was afraid of my Dad,
Soon the boy grew up;
I was afraid of failure,
So I never stopped.

I was afraid of being caught,
So I learned to tell the truth;
I’m afraid of Climate Change,
I’m afraid we’ll loose our Earth.

I’m afraid for my children,
Now they’re afraid for theirs;
My thinning skin is looser now,
I’m loosing my grey hairs.

And I’m not liking Death, just now,
People disappear from view;
And yet I heard or read somewhere,
It’s the easiest thing we’ll do.