Fear

Fear

A gnat humming in my ear,

fluttering just inside the line of my vision

Irritating, annoying but insignificant.

A brief wave of my hand, a flick of my finger

I brush it away.

A yapping dog, nipping at my ankles,

twining between my legs, making me stumble.

Persistent, insistent, aggravating

I speak sharply, shooing 

kicking it aside 

And now,

Now

Fire breathing, winged dragon

Eyes blazing green, angry tail whipping at me

I fall, grappling for my sword

It looms over me, wings flapping lazily

daring me, challenging me, threatening me.

I swallow the heavy lump in my throat,

flex my fingers, re-grasping my gleaming weapon,

square my shoulders and step toward it.

Lunging-

parry, thrust,

press forward, fall back,

the eternal dance.

My back is to the abyss, forcing the creature upward,

rounding spiraled stair

Behind it I glimpse the gilded gates of home

Behind me icy wind whispers around my neck

My strength is failing, my steps falter,

weary tears blind me

The beast roars

And in sudden fury I roar in reply

The gates swing open

I force the beast back once more with the last of my will

It staggers on the mirrored courtyard

Whimpers and shrivels,

A gnat I can crush with my heel