When I Am No Longer Afraid

When I am no longer afraid

I will leave the door ajar
I will walk alone on that street
And eat banana splits for breakfast
I will run that race and come in last.

When I am no longer afraid,
I will proudly ask dumb questions
And read more books with embarrassing titles
I will go to all the important schools and places
And wear overalls

When I am no longer afraid,
I will sing in front of people
I will share my short-cuts
And admit it when I don’t get the joke.
I will tell the truth when I didn’t have to.

When I am no longer afraid
I will listen to criticism and consider it more carefully.
And change my opinion at the last minute
I will use the high-dive
And swim in a thunderstorm—after dinner.

When I am no longer afraid,
I will open all of my windows and sleep with wet hair
I will stop to rescue all the turtles from the road
I will not count calories or keep time

When I am no longer afraid,
I will stop to help more strangers
I will tell people I don’t remember their names and apologize for it.
I will tell myself more secrets. And study my inner reflection.

When I am no longer afraid
I will sleep on Mondays
And pose for more pictures.
I will listen better, and take longer pauses before my answers.
I will search people’s eyes more for meaning.

When I am no longer afraid,
I will not be so tethered.
I will not be the kite any longer…
I will know what it is like

To be the wind…

~Ally~