Fear, Is That You?

I sense a feeling rising within me,
Like a slow tide against my chest,
Not loud, not violent,
Just there,
It sits quietly in my soul,
Hiding behind my eyes,
Resting underneath the masks of my smile,
I have felt this before,
Yet I know not it fully,

I recognize the weight of it,
For I once carried it when I was scared
When nights felt too long,
And decisions felt too heavy,
It feels different now,
And has no clear face,
No clear reason,
Yet it breathes within,
And refuses to leave,

So I ask it softly,
Fear, is that you?
Are you the one knocking again?
Or are you something wearing its name?
What do you want from me?
Why do you torment my quiet moments?
Why do you sit with me uninvited?
Watching my thoughts,
Listening to my silence,

Did you come because of love?
Because I am scared to try again?
Scared to open a door I once bled from?
Scared to trust warmth after cold?
Are you here because my heart remembers pain?
Even when my mind wants hope,
Do you stand between me and affection?
Whispering warnings,
Decking caution as wisdom,

Or are you here because of risk?
Because a bold step waits in front of me,
Because faith asks me to jump,
And logic asks me to stay still,
Are you born from uncertainty?
From not knowing where I will land,
From the fear of choosing wrong,
From the weight of consequences,
From the comfort of safe ground,

Are you here because of who I want to be?
And who the world wants me to become?
Because their voices pull at my skin,
Shaping me into acceptable forms,
Are you here because the view of success is blurred?
Because failure feels close enough to touch?
Because I do not know if I will make it?
Or simply survive trying,
Or disappear in the effort,

Why now?
Why at this exact moment?
Is it because I am close to something greater?
Something fragile and powerful,
Did the owls send you to slow me down?
To guard the gates of a breakthrough?
Or have you always lived in me?
Quiet and unnoticed,
Waiting for me to listen,

If you are here, then show yourself,
Do not hide behind shadows anymore,
Stand in front of me in your full form,
Let us gaze at each other clearly,
Let us name what this truly is,
And end this silent struggle,
But if you are not fear,
If you are something good in disguise,
Then fill my heart completely,

If you are hope wearing unfamiliar clothes,
Then stay and make yourself at home,
Settle in every chamber of my heart,
Leave no empty space behind,
Push fear out gently but completely,
Teach me how to breathe without doubt,
Let courage grow where worry once slept,
And when fear comes knocking again,
Let it find no room left in me.