I was afraid of saying the wrong thing
So I sewed my lips shut and learned
To choke on words that would never
Make it past the knot of my vocal chords

I was scared of hearing the cold truth
So I became and artist and sawed
My ears off; I painted a masterpiece
In my own blood; I called it "Metus"

I was terrified of seeing the real world
So I sliced at the sockets of my eyes
Until nothing but the safety and beauty
Of darkness remained and prevailed.

I was so daunted I became a shadow.
I was deaf, mute, and blind to the outside;
My terror did not dissipate; and too late
I learned that fear, you cannot escape