Boundary of Fear
by Liz Bennefeld
A boundary of fear encompasses my life,
protects my trembling heart and shaking hands
from reaching out to you for reassurance.
Familiar terrors comfort and protect me
from the urgent need to change, to grow.
Within that searing ring embraced,
I rest secure and safe, static and unchanging,
until sheer time would crumble and decay
what life, love, pleasure, joy, and laughter
may not erode or intrude unkindly on.
Note: At one time I participated in a low-volume mailing list owned by Loretta Kemsley, for Women Artists and Writers International. I wrote “Boundary of Fear” in response to a writing prompt that was published to the list.
Quilted Poetry 