A Sonnet by Sedric Barnes
Rough Draft
As a child I feared the usual, Bogeyman in the closet, thunderstorms with lightning,
And the bugs crawling in the yard. The sheet over my head and the voice of my mom
Was all I needed to chase the fear away and to calm me down.
Now I've grown up, fear I still hear, enveloping my brain and filling my eyes with tears.
My life is just beginning, a blank slate waiting to be written. How will I make my mark?
How do I know what is my call, will I be able to please them all?
Will I walk the path that is right, and if darkness comes will I find the light?
These questions I ask myself, paralyzed by fear night after night.
These black dark clouds that filled my thoughts with questions
Will not define the person that I am to become, I know that because I am strong
I will take each day as a gift, not allowing the monster of fear to defeat me
I'll become the man I'm meant to be, like a medieval knight I'll win this fight.
My mind is clear I no longer fear, the road ahead will magically appear
I will remain strong, I will answer the call and when life is over I fear no more.
Final Draft
As a child I feared the usual, Bogeyman in the closet, thunderstorms with lightning,
And the bugs crawling in the yard. The sheet over my head and the voice of my mom
Was all I needed to chase the fear away and to calm me down.
Now I've grown up, fear I still hear, enveloping my brain and filling my eyes with tears.
My life is just beginning, a blank slate waiting to be written. How will I make my mark?
How do I know what is my call, will I be able to please them all?
Will I walk the path that is right, and if darkness comes will I find the light?
These questions I ask myself, paralyzed by fear night after night.
These black dark clouds that filled my thoughts with questions
Will not define the person that I am to become, I know that because I am strong
I will take each day as a gift, not allowing the monster of fear to defeat me
I'll become the man I'm meant to be, like a medieval knight I'll win this fight.
My mind is clear I no longer fear, the road ahead will magically appear
I will remain strong, I will answer the call and when life is over I fear no more.