I Am Afraid To Be Afraid Poem by Mark Heathcote

I am afraid I left the lights on.
I am afraid I didn't close the windows.
I am afraid I didn't lock the front door.
I am afraid I didn't complete the census or send it promptly.
I am afraid of my impermanence. My own shadow.
I am afraid now of what's around the corner.
I am afraid I didn't pay all my yearly contributions.
I am afraid nobody is going to love or care about me.
And to be asked at the doctor's to cough.

I am afraid I might die alone.
I am afraid to leave home.
I am afraid to be afraid.
I am afraid of social interactions and niceties.

I am afraid of enclosed spaces.
I am afraid of the dark and people's unwanted baggage.
I am afraid of dogs and black cats.
I am afraid of heights.
I am afraid of thunder and lightning.
I am afraid to linger too long in your arms.
And look hopelessly into your eyes.
I am afraid you might not like me enough,
Enough to make me fall irrecoverably in love.