What do you think is the cause of all fear?

Emotion apparent, inherit.

Could it be a person who grins ear to ear?

To sway to the strings of unseen puppeteers.

To this, I say some do have merit.

​

Now create, if you will, a room in your mind,

A box which has near no inclusion.

There is not a window, none of any kind

But there is a door, though locked you will find,

To prevent an unwanted intrusion.

​

This room, though confined, is none too concerning

It burdens you not, with fright.

The bulb’s incandescence, provided by burning

Begins now to waver, your stomach starts churning

As something new snuffs out the light.

​

Plunged into darkness your heart rate now rises

A heavy continuous beat.

You fear not the dark, but the room’s many guises,

Of what this cold desolate void could comprise of

Your imagery now incomplete.

​

Around is birthed noises, a squishing of flesh

Could something have come through the roof?

Nonsense, you think, there is not the breadth.

The noises conclude, as life does with death

You stand here still yearning for truth.

​

If for but a moment, the silence is calming

A ship now awaiting the storm.

Your hairs stand on end, you sense something watching.

A secretive thing, around you comes forming

A breath so shallow and warm.

​

Behind comes a sorrowful, harrowing screech,

A flurry of footsteps do follow.

A terrible vestige of humanlike speech

In accordance with vocals of inhuman reach

Will see you, so sullen, the ‘morrow.

​

So I ask again what, think you, causes fear?

Perhaps it is dying alone.

Dark enclosed spaces, a monster too near.

To lose all you had, and all you hold dear

To this, I say fear the unknown.