Do I Dare? Poem by Richard Blanch

In brightness ideas came. Unsure, she sniffed and prowled,
Nosing, smelling, scenting their essence. They stood proud,
Significant as an article without its noun;
Barely quivering as she prodded, goaded. Something she’d found
Would not have troubled her. But, uninvited, these floated down
Swirling. Essence of lilac, she noted. Something bound
Up with memories of grandmothers and cherries. How
Could these be her solution, bring her poise? Now
They shimmered underneath their shining satin gown.
What was there? Excitement? Truth? A key? A road? The crown
Of Life? A bridge across the swamp of long ignored profound
Uncertainties? Persuasive iridescence nurtured doubt.
Would it be better to leave them undisturbed? A frown
Set her forehead into corners. She listened. Not a sound
Disturbed her universe. Nothing helped her guess. A brown
Study descended. She turned away, circled, walked round
Pondering. Glittering as in a breeze: to her, they loured,
No promise but a threat that tempted. Silent voices wound
About her. Look inside. Uncover us. You are allowed.
And so with many a backward step, still tentative, she ground
Her fears to dust under her heel. Turning within, she hounded
Her hesitation into the cages of her brain. Brow
Still furrowed, she lifted the lacings. Eyes shut, heart pounding
She pulled. The sun poured in. Nothing was there. She bowed
Her head to the vacuum. Hope lost its footing and was drowned.