My fear is a part of me –
the shield that protects me,
keeps me safe.

Irrational or not,
fear is the shell that
keeps my soft heart
from being destroyed.

Pain is dangerous
for people like you and me –
it can become
a dark spiral
that send us downward
until we can’t escape.

Artists must temper the darkness
that gives birth to creative genius
with the stability of ordinary daylight.