Evaluating: Closer Examination

Fear, fear, fear,
Agitation and doubt,
What a bout
And what’s it about?

Could it be,
I feel so safe to feel
That I’m ready
To let these hungry ghosts out?

Out, out, ghosts,
Go feed elsewhere,
I’ve better things to do
Or so I tell myself,

For maybe that’s the trouble,
It’s all so mundane,
So repetitive,
What a strain!

And yet,
There is much good here,
My pain is under control,
It’s only my fear that’s rampaging,

Like five elephants tied to a pole,
The five hindrances tug and pull,
Until they rip it out of the ground
And stampede into the forest,

Dragging the pole with them
And finally it gets stuck
In between two trees,
Which they tear down,

In their fear and fury
They run amok,
Galloping across the meadow,
Finally fleeing even from their own shadows
As the night sets in.