POEM: Finding My Brave

I find my brave as others find their house-keys,

Find their shoes and jacket,

And walk straight out the door.

While they are halfway down the street,

I have yet to cross my threshold.

Catching my breath,

Considering my options,

Thinking of excuses,

To avoid another encounter

With the uncertain world outside.

Daily doing battle,

With the unseen terrors in my mind,

I Sellotape a smile across my trembling lips;

Tell myself the story:

“You survived this yesterday you will survive it again today.”

And with vampire’s peril I step into the sunlight.

Put one foot in front of the other.

And pretend it doesn’t burn.