3/21/08 Spelunking

I've been thinking about the pattern I have
for discovering deep hidden fears I harbor
and then feeling like I have to
conquer them, like the time I
went spelunking in Virginia.

Ever hopeful, I still believe that someday
I will overcome my fear of sloths and raw ground beef,
of musical theater, televangelism, and drowning,
and free myself of fear forever.

Or maybe someone will tell me that life isn't
a contest of who is the least afraid.