Fear

"...teach them not to fear. Fear is good in small amounts, but when it is a constant, pounding companion, it cuts away at who you are and makes it hard to do what you know is right."

- Inheritance, by Christopher Paolini

Fear
It’s what she felt
Every time
She stepped out
On to the road

Fear
Not of ghosts
Not of guns
But of men
All around

Fear
Of every man who passed by
Of every car that crossed her
Afraid that one of them
Might slow down

Fear
Of every whistle she ignored
Of every honk that echoed
Of every gaze that followed

The stories haunted her
Her past haunted her
Enveloped by fear
Every gaze taunted her

It was wrong
So wrong
That anyone
Should have to live
With this constant fear

It grapples you
It haunts you
It suffocates you

It prevents you
From being you