unable to lift the down –
struggling against the waves of doubt –
afraid to drown,
i avoid deep water,
wade instead in shallows –
seeking desperately some unseen shore…

fearful of losing footing –
stepping off the ledge
into a deeper pool of nothing.

what is it about you –
frightens me so?
your eyes –
liquid pools of hello –
invite me in –
outstretched hands offer close –
but all i do is pull away…

afraid today to take the plunge,
i struggle to stay afloat –
set adrift on stormy seas –
no calm of hope –
no rope of trust to moor this sinking ship –
tossed aside by
waves of discontent!