What we fear most

is what we should function towards.

It feels counter-intuitive, but true —

if something seems daunting,

if just glancing at it causes a primal voltage

to shoot from your ankles

up through your spine

jolting your heart up into

your throat,

encircling your scalp and

singeing your eyebrows,

that’s Darwin's way of keeping you safe.

but you know better —

deep down, you know

that in the fullness of time,

safe ain't safe at all.

Safe likes to rhyme with his old pal

regret.

So walk

run

tango

with your fear.

and when the final bill comes due

the price will seem high

as it should,

because it’s true —

you pay for your time 

with your

life.