Failure: The Great Mind Killer
For Real Poetic's "Greatest Fear" Challenge
When I close my eye, the worries start to stir
There is one thing that grabs me
More than anything
More than choking, drowning, or suffocation
More than death, than a sinister clown
More than wide-open or closed-in spaces
It's failure that is my enemy
Failure so often stops me in my tracks
The fear of messing up...again
Frozen in time
Frozen by fear
Stuck in reverse
Stuck in yesterday
Want to move forward
Not to move backward
Fear of failure
fear of mistakes
fear of messing up
fear of so much worse
Stops me in my tracks
Stops me from progressing
Stops me from achieving
Stops me from trying
Fear of not good enough
Makes me feel worse
Fear of the damage
Cripples me, stifles me
Fear is the killer of mine
The killer of my mind, body, and soul
My bespoke devastator
My attack aggravator
Confidence annihilator
Fear of failure is my K2
Fear of failure is my hot coal walk
Fear of failure is my ocean swim
Fear of failure is my tightrope act
The great mind killer
The ambition abolisher
The hopes and dreams destroyer
If I let it win...
*
Thanks for reading!
This was for Real Poetic's 3rd Mini Challenge, "Greatest Fear". We had to write about our greatest fear.
You can find out more about the challenge here:
If you want to read more by me, check out my profile for a heady mix of something for everyone here.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Scottish-Italian poet/writer from Glasgow.
Overflowing in English language torture and word abuse.
"Every man has a sane spot somewhere" R.L Stevenson
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection is now available!
https://paulspoeticprints.etsy.com
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Comments (16)
Heyyyyy Paullllllll! I'm backkkkkkk! Anyway, this poem made me wonder what Hogwarts house you are in? Your poem gave strong vibes of Hermione but I'm guessing you're in Ravenclaw. But then again, I might be soooo wrong, lol! Also, I'll be reading your poems first before moving on to your longer pieces. I have a week's worth of stuff to read. So advance apologies if I miss any of yours 😅
It's paralyzing, reducing me at times to catatonia.
Too many great lines!!! As FDR said, "The only thing to fear is fear itself." Fantastic poem!!! Loving it!!!
All too relatable. I find it strange that I'm not afraid of dying really... Other than knowing I'd be leaving my kids behind to a world that really doesn't appreciate them or love them the way I do... But the very idea of just nothing or heaven or hell... I'm not too afraid of that. But failure? Oh boy. I nearly have a panic attack every time I'm doing something because I always feel not good enough in everything. I don't like to share most things I do because I don't feel adequate. Isn't that strange? I'm happy I'm not alone in that lol... But also sorry for others that feel this. For what it's worth, I really do love your content. You're definitely not failing in the writing department in my opinion. 🤗
Damn, Paul… I cannot even pick out favorite lines from this. So good! It made me think of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” which is a song I listen to when I need courage. I love that you ended it on a hopeful note. 🎶
Bravo! Very well written. "Frozen in time Frozen by fear Stuck in reverse Stuck in yesterday"
My favorite section: "Fear is the killer of mine The killer of my mind, body, and soul My bespoke devastator My attack aggravator Confidence annihilator" Paul, this is SO GOOD. Like one of your raps, but more focused, more verse-inclined than rhyme. But the way you encapsulate this fear in such pointed diction and images is very well done indeed. Love how you ended it too! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Ah yes the greatest fear of not being enough, however as everyone has said you painted the picture wonderfully! This was a wonderful expression of fear and imposter syndrome🖤
Lmar pointed out the irony in this and I have to agree. I also have to say that you chose my greatest fear, too.
Ironically, this poem was a success at painting the chosen fear. The deep descriptions of what the fear means to you were eye opening and relatable. And loved the last line, a sign of reprieve.
Thoughtful and relatable piece Paul.
This is great, and you're too good to be a failure. Well done, buddy.
A thing so many of us relate to! So well expressed, Paul 💕😊
Don’t let fear win! You are far from a failure. This poem resonates so deeply within me. Amazing words from you.
Yes, Fear paralyzes.
Powerful words ❤️🫶🏾💯📝😊