I think, at the bottom of the pile,
is a list of all the things
I've learned to be afraid of...

And it all comes down to one
moment, one millisecond of traffic light red strobing deep into my terrified soul,
Pushing me forward into a sun so bright it burns like acid
And callously exposing me in all of my littleness
To the universe who looks over once and then ignores...

When I fell in love with life I did not know that one day it would lay in wait for me to pass by,
And then jump from behind to press
Itself into my open back
Slicing my core to ribbons,
And presenting me with the only truth there is:

"Nothing, absolutely nothing, is guaranteed."