They say not to let fear control you

But it’s harder than it sounds

It starts down in your gut

You can feel your insides churn

Appetite is lost

Eyes widen and fidgeting sets in

Shivering uncontrollably

Or sweating off gallons

Stuttering voice

Quieting down

Feeling sick

Feeling like you should have stayed at home

But you can’t

You are here

You are now

So you must tame this beast

That tears you apart with teeth and claws like daggers

So you step into its den

Where it pounces at you full-force from a corner

You freeze, paralyzed, anticipating the attack

Here it comes

Closer and closer and closer until it is just inches from your face

And then you realize

It is nothing but a sweet-natured jungle cat

You have been misunderstanding each other the whole time

You pet it, now becoming friends

And you walk off together into the sunset

They say not to let fear control you

They’re right