The Monster

Alone one night at a bar, I spied a woman from afar,

and pondered the thought of approaching, and many topics i could be broaching, discussing the weather and what she wore.

When a shrouded figure dark and frightening, grabbed my arm, his grip tightening

frightening me to my core.

"Dont you move, stay right here," he hissed and snapped into my ear

"You would fail, you'd be rejected. Wouldnt you rather be respected? Stay here where you can stay a self-respected bore."

And then he reared back and laughed, satisfied at his perfected craft

of preventing me from risking more.

The next day i went off to work, my boss was proving to be a jerk,

and i was considering applying, for a job more satisfying, and hastening my way out the door.

When something seized upon my wrist, a shadowy monster snarled and hissed

and stopped me from typing anymore.

"You're not good enough," he spat. "You're safer staying where you're at.

Why venture out on a skinny branch, when you could stay in your current circumstance.

Stay here where you know what's in store."

I thought of the monster's advice, and why i was content to pay the price

of allowing fear to close an open door.