Fear

 

On a Monday afternoon

When the sun is dancing,

Making dappled lights and shadows

Through the leaves on the trees,

Projecting summer shapes on the places where my feet trod

And the breezes are caressing my face

Whispering words in my ears

Of encouragement

And mercy

And grace,

I find my hands open and outstretched.

 

I am waiting

and longing

to receive your fear

And carefully throw it away

Where it will trouble you no longer

And healing can engulf you.

 

I have known about fear

Recently,

Fear and I

Have become acquainted

And now I know

How it hides itself in the deepest corner of the soul

Hoping that it cannot be seen

As it controls our lives

Subtly

Illusively

Skillfully doing its work

The work that we allow

Because to face Fear shows us our pain

Releases our tears

Brings us to our knees

Sobbing

And hoping

That no one else sees

That no one else knows.

 

So, we allow Fear to continue

Its attempt

To deafen the sound of God’s voice

To blind the way of God’s journey

To darken the Light of God’s peace

To arrest the stroke of God’s grace.

 

Fear has masked the gifts of God,

Sweet

Loving

Fresh

Spirit-filled, wind swept

Vital gifts

That surround me completely

And eternally

Even when I choose

To be unaware.

 

Fear paralyzes us

And teases us into believing

That if we don’t notice it

Or name it

It isn’t real

 

But it is

 

I know it is

 

Real.

 

Inviting Fear

To sit down with me

Has not been easy

Has not been comfortable

Has not been effortless

But it has been

Profoundly

Life-giving.

 

And I long for you

To sit down with Fear

And feel the presence of God’s mercy

As you listen to the voice

Of that which is hiding

In the corners of your soul

Waiting to be gathered up

And thrown out

And thrown away

So that you can feel God’s

Freedom

Love

And joy.

Just for you.

 

 

Poem written June 25, 2018 by C. Alicia Randolph

Photo taken June 25, 2018 by C. Alicia Randolph

Poem and photo © Alicia Randolph Rapking