A response to “Your Fear” by Leatha Kendrick

I believed it was my armor, my protection
never seeing in my reflection the wide-eyed, skittish
animal I was. And too, the fear was mine
when all else had been taken. I vowed

not to forsake it, in some deep part of me that needed
something, anything, to trust. Yet building
walls left shadowed halls inside that never felt the sun,
and I am done with that dark living. First step,

forgiving myself for holding on so long.
Next, to walk this living edge of mystery—
on one side the tragic truth of misery,
on the other, joy, light as angels’ wings.
A bright blaze sings along this path—the sun

in whose light, all fear has dissipated.
My heart now claims both sides as sacred.