All the years of life fastened <br />neatly under belted loops <br />wisdom knocking on hollow <br />doors signs flash no vacancy <br /> <br />childish fear comes from <br />everywhere with blank stare... <br />eye to eye <br />open toy boxes pop in her face <br />frightening the timid child <br />held captive by it's strength <br />leaving her paralyzed <br /> <br />age old weakness gives fresh breath <br />of life to the obedience of fear <br />shrouded behind the physical body <br />of her adult <br />hungry for the peripheral glance <br />of terror as it glazes over her eyes <br /> <br />bound to her - her to it <br />a lifetime of adult child barriers <br />blocking wisdom from it's flow <br /> <br />grotesque the decision to endure <br />for the lifetime still before her <br />or cut the limbs baring shackles <br />hard steel binding them together <br /> <br />render her a cripple... <br />crippled she is either way <br />her fear laughs in celebration <br />victorious over another day taken <br />her life consumed <br />pride and honor beaten from her <br />stripped to cowards flesh <br />left naked in the darkness <br /> <br />huddled within herself she rocks <br />wrapping her arms tightly around <br />the child inside... <br /> <br />and together they weep<br /><br />Shelly Price<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/obedience-to-fear/