I’m afraid my poetry will be too fearful
And will be laughed at by those who love
A smash and a laugh.
I fear my fear is not sincere enough
For those who are fearful and want to love.
I fear my fears are nothing
But self-indulgent crap
In a poem that deserves to be smashed
And ridiculed. But how pathetic when a poet
Makes a martyr of his poem—nothing is more
Pathetic and self-indulgent.
Idiot. You have a reason to be afraid.