I have lived in a fear,
that I’d best explain-
lest somebody out there,
can feel the same pain.

I had fear of my teachers
because they called me a fool
and of missionary preachers
who once called to the school.

I was in fear of my father
though not of my mother
I had a fear of my sister
and, of, one brother.

I had a fear of the Garda
they are known as Siochana
I had a fear of damp houses
of draughts and bad karma.

I had a fear of door knockers
And each telephone call
and of stamped addressed
envelopes, found in the hall.

What more can I say about
about a lifetime of fear
I don’t have it of heights
and that became clear.

Though would you believe it
I feared the female
But with help of a Guinness
It was a hurdle I could scale.

Fearing no more heat of the sun,
is what Billy Shakespeare said,
but I’ve melanoma, on the hand,
& spots on my craggy forehead!