Fear of Failure

fear of failure
looks like a blank page
haunted by echoes of words erased
and shadows of pencil lead that once carried thoughts
fear of failure
looks like a back space
that won’t move fast enough to delete the pain
of knowing that I wasn’t good enough
fear of failure
looks like flames tilted to paper
whoever said you couldn’t burn an idea?
and sounds like a thought ripping
who even invented paper?
or pencils?
or the brain?
God, I hate everything
but even then I’m scared I’m not hating it right
fear of failure
is not being able to do anything
it’s Hamlet swaying with a knife in his hands
playing eeny-meeny-miney-mo to decide whether to kill
fear of failure
is dancing with indecision
even when you don't know how to move
fear of failure, I despise you
Oh wait, no I'm sorry,
Did I do it wrong?
Am I supposed to love you?

-anna sluder

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