The fear of ridicule,

of hate disguised as passive aggressive

jealousy, of mockery, of animosity,

should I dare to expose the feeling

that Roger described as naked,

that I see as part of my soul unguarded

and alone in the exposed light

of bitterness; or should I stop,

just stop, for a moment and understand

that by the pronouncement of this bound

birth, I am only fulfilling an obligation

to myself, nobody else, just me,

the fear of ridicule and sneering mosquito

is there to keep me sane.

Ian D. Hall 2018