Boo! Poem by Helen White

I no longer long to hide away
the time has come to face my fears,
no tears from here on in,
no sin in confronting the demons within
akin to a spot of spring cleaning
in a wanton desire to purify
to ratify and clarify
how my confidence did wane and die
when I was but a little one
a microscopic speck beneath the sun.
None were to know
and slowly began the pretence
henceforth till now
and how I kept pace in my race
to stave off suggestions avoiding the questions
voiding myself inside my head
yet that said, I survived and arrived
and it’s not ‘til now that I accept and see
she who is actually me
and I will myself to stand up tall
no hiding behind imaginary wall
in terror and dread and panic and all.
Stall the sootheless and quick freeze,
appease the heart and mind and soul
and I’ll possibly probably maybe I’ll roll
and rock and finally find my place
within this what is the human race,
and brave face that is mine
will no longer decline to do just.