I am driven, <br />Motivated, <br />Inspired, <br />Often crippled, by fear. <br />Failure is an option <br />And success is scripted. <br />If I fail at this life, <br />It will be said: <br />“I always knew she would <br />Turn out like that.” <br />Should I succeed, <br />It will be said <br />“I always knew she could do it.” <br />So I’m afraid, <br />The double standards, <br />Double talk, <br />And hypocrisy that govern us, <br />Stalk me like a shadow in an alley. <br />How I felt has never mattered, <br />Only what others think. <br />I carry around the pain <br />Like so many nickels and dimes, <br />While others poke fun <br />At my insecurities. <br />And why not? I’m afraid. <br />Afraid to fail <br />Afraid to succeed, <br />Afraid to be the woman, <br />Whoever she is!<br /><br />Ashleigh Gaffney<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-am-23/
