Nervousness Poem by Shalom Freedman

NERVOUSNESS

How can a poem be written about ‘nervousness’?
Nervousness is something to be ashamed of
To be hidden
Not to be written about
It is not deep as pain
And meaningful as real suffering-

Nervousness is small and weak and cowardly
And what is in me now –

Writing is to free myself of it
Not make its celebration-

Oh were I a better and stronger human being
But I’m too often nervous -and I’m not