On my darkest inner nights,
I soothe a seething fear.
One that whispers of my life,
And the many failures near.
It tells me of potential,
Resting unfulfilled.
It warns of idle moments,
For which I’ll later pay the bill.
It tells me I’m a nothing,
Erased before I’m gone.
It speaks of opportunities,
Fading with a yawn.
It knows of all my secret dreams,
Ones tucked inside my heart.
It tells me they will wilt away,
Lest my apathy departs.
It makes me think of giving up,
Tests the mettle of my want.
Conjures visions of success,
To be shattered as a taunt.
It creates a constant ticking,
For the moments as they fly.
I can’t forget the speed at which
My life is rushing by.
It asks me what’s the point,
When it’s likely that I’ll lose?
It scoffs that working everyday,
Is a silly thing to choose.
And of course I’m frightened,
That stride on as I may,
I might remain forever,
One more lost in the fray.
But either I can use this fear,
Or will it end up using me.
Will I become paralyzed,
And bound up in ennui?
Or will fear strike a fire,
Burning somewhere in my soul,
To push me ever onwards,
And to hold me to my goals?
It can keep my vision clear,
Cleaning clutter from my mind.
And aid me in my daily search,
For the focus I must find.
The fear, at times, can feel,
Like a weight upon my back.
But in truth, it is a compass,
That is holding me on track.
Quinn Murphy is an eighteen-year-old writer based in British Columbia, Canada. She’s been practicing creative writing since she was twelve, but she’s been telling stories for much, much longer. When she was fourteen, she started working as a contributor for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) Kids News, creating news articles for kids across Canada. Her poem The Writer, and her short story, The Little Thief, were recently published in the Spiritus Mundi Review. She has a passion for creative writing, particularly short stories and poetry, and she is working on her debut novel, which she hopes will touch readers of all ages.