Today, I am stepping out of my comfort zone and attempting a different type of blog.

Since I recently saw Maya Angelou, I’m writing poetry for the first time since adolescence (for the record, that’s about 30 years ago).

This challenge requires taking a deep breath and jumping in.

Here… I… go…

There Is No Fear in My Anger

The workshop leader told us

That anger is always rooted in fear.

That helping people address their anger

Always requires helping them confront their fears.

I, the student, told myself

That my anger is never rooted in fear.

That dealing with my anger

Always requires confronting the source.

There is no fear in my anger.

My anger is rooted in a sense of fairness.

When people are treated differently because of the way they look or because of their perceived social status

Then I am red, hot angry.

But I am not fearful.

My anger is rooted in a desire for benevolence.

When a person with money or connections is regarded more highly than a knowledgeable person

Then I am rebelliously angry.

But I am not fearful.

My anger is rooted in a hard-earned sense of self-worth.

When I am ignored because someone wants to build his own ego on a false sense of self-importance

Then I am howling with anger.

But I am not fearful.

My anger is rooted in a cry for compassion.

When I hear people ridicule those who have less

Then I am sadly angry.

But I am not fearful.

My anger is rooted in respect.

When people spend years building a strong foundation and it is destroyed by those who want to build an empire

Then I am frustrated with anger.

But I am not fearful.

And when I am told that I am fearful rather than angry

I am full of fighting words and the need to persevere and speak the truth.

But I am not fearful.

For there is simply no fear in my anger.

(Wow.. that WAS like jumping into a cold pool and enjoying a great swim… invigorating.  I had forgotten why I wrote poetry as a teen.  I may now write more!)