My Greatest Fear, I Think
A Poem of Contradiction
Sometimes I believe that my greatest fear is opening up,
Of letting people know what’s really on my mind and in my heart.
For if I do open that door, can’t they use my most prized possessions against me?
Is my vulnerability not a weapon I may be passing to my enemies?
Even if unwillingly and unknowingly.
How can I know who to trust?
If I choose to dig past the pebbles that I’ve always been willing to share,
to burrow deep into the bedrock of my being,
and leave my truth naked for all to see,
will I survive the possible repercussions that further damage my soul?
*
Sometimes I tell myself that my greatest fear is shutting down,
of not letting anyone inside the world that revolves on a crooked axis
inside my thoughts and dreams.
Of isolating myself from even those who care for me most.
My unwillingness to let people know what’s really in my soul,
Is this the mountain I want to live on?
Is this the hill I want to die on?
For if it is so, that I shall die on this hill of vulnerability,
never letting anyone else stand on that mountain with me,
How would they even know where to look?
*******
This is piece is my response to Real Poetic's Greatest Fear challenge, in which she invites us to "explore the theme of your "Greatest Fear" and weave your emotions, thoughts, and imagery into a poem that captures how and why you are fearful of this."
About the Creator
Cathy holmes
Canadian family girl with a recently discovered love for writing. Other loves include animals and sports.
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Comments (26)
I really feel this one.
Wonderful and so relatable! Powerful words!
Wow. Great open-hearted encounter with vulnerability and doubt. Really like this one, can deeply relate. "Sometimes I tell myself that my greatest fear is shutting down, of not letting anyone inside the world that revolves on a crooked axis inside my thoughts and dreams." Great work!
Phenomenal work Cathy!
There are so many lines to draw out and wax on about why I love them. I'll focus on these, though: "For if I do open that door, can’t they use my most prized possessions against me? Is my vulnerability not a weapon I may be passing to my enemies? Even if unwillingly and unknowingly." This metaphor of a house holding your vulnerabilities is doing so much work here. You don't even state that it's a house, but with "open that door" and "my most prized possessions" it becomes clear. And to then suggest that these possessions can become weapons to the guest you let in...wow. That adds so much to this already vivid picture of a poem. Very well done, Cathy. You command your fears brilliantly in these verses.
I sometimes have this fear too. But does that stop me? No. I overshare like an overflowing bucket of water and then I regret handing them the weapon 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ Loved your poem!
This is an awesome, relatable poem. I loved these lines, 'Is this the mountain I want to live on? Is this the hill I want to die on?' and the super impactful ending as well! Congratulations
Wow! That was pretty deep. Well done and congrats!
Congrats, Cathy! 🥉🥂💕
Great work...this is incredibly relatable, buddy! Loved this. Beautiful writing as ever, Cathy!
Incredibly relatable. I especially love this line. “Is my vulnerability not a weapon I may be passing to my enemies?”
I feel and mirror your thoughts exactly. Very well said,
So relatable, excellent poem!
This is really nicely written, you laid out the contradiction as two things that actually necessarily goes together.
Compelling, relatable, vulnerable, and wonderfully penned. Truly amazing job, my friend!! 🥹❤️❤️
I love this one Cathy. Fantastic writing and completely relatable. Great stuff.
To open up or to shut down, that is the question. Ah, to lay our hearts bare with all the risk it entails. If we are welcomed & received, it is wonderful. If not....
☺️👏 I really liked the themes here Cathy. I’ve felt like that many a time which often causes more trouble for oneself so I find this relatable. Yet I also feel that writing helps me to clear some of that away to be vulnerable ..to make way for the new. Great job at the mini challenge and certainly a fear for many! 😁
The experience of being human is not always easy. But it's in the opening up that we can learn the beauty of self-love. Very nice poem!
Ah vulnerability. I feel you. <3 Well done!
Awesome!!! Beautifully and wonderfully written!!! Loved it!!!
Oh boy this is totally relatable Cathy. Brilliant piece of writing my friend.
Well put-😉❤️💯👍📝
Vulnerabilities haunt me too. This is so well done.
That’s a very real and legit fear, but opening up seems to be your superpower when it comes to writing. Great poem for the mini challenge. 👏🏼