Barbara Newsome

Barbara Newsome is the featured poet I have chosen for National Poetry
Month. She will be featured at Brooklyn Poetry Outreach (Park Slope's Barnes &
Noble on Thursday , April 29th. at 6:30 pm). She was born in Harrellsville,
North Carolina and wrote her first poem at the age of 6. She is a graduate of
New York University and has a Bachelor of Science degree. Her work brings a
newness to the world of literature and she performs public readings for different
occasions and believes that the written word is one of the most potent ways to
heal the spirit, soul, mind and emotions.

 

FEAR
by Barbara Newsome

My fears alone have made me a stranger at times
Have chased me into allies and vacant lots in
The deep and dark night where only hunger and angry wolves
Howl in need of something. At times these fears have
Taken up residence inside my body, leaving little room
As I stretched and fought to escape the inevitable.
What is it? I ask the fear, what have you come for?
While I wait in ready anticipation for some confirmation
That you did not win this time.
Someday I must stand tall and match
My mental height next to the gains you have over me.
At long last the time has come, I challenge you now!
No fear of death have I-- no more!
No! no! not I.
No more do I wait for you to take
What joys and pleasures fill me up!
Lie there by the roadside, for I will
Drag you here and there no longer!