i am terrified
a skulking giant
edging closer to lock me inside
the prison i created
i am terrified
i thought i could hide from my fears
i built walls of barbed wire and planted forests of thorns
but my fear was not the giant i had given birth to behind my eyelids
my fear was small
small enough to be airborne
small enough to work like a virus
incurable and contagious
i am terrified
i cower behind my sharp and cold throne
my iron crown overwhelms my shrinking head
who was i to think i could own this kingdom?
who was i to think i could rule?
i am terrified
i can hear the knocking on the castle gates
my guards and subjects have deserted me
i am alone
and so very afraid
my fear prowls in
and i'm sweating in the shadows
almost too afraid to look
and see--
a small child
a small monster
my fear will be the death of me
i am terrified
because i have changed my plans
and i no longer can control my own future
i am no longer the master of my fate
and this small unknown,
this child, this monster
will be my end
