POEMS ABOUT FEAR > What a Fear
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WHAT A FEAR
What a fear has overtaken me now A fear bigger than my heart It is so present here That its heartbeat I hear Its presence takes over everything around, my world, my dreams, and I... can’t be found I disappear In the face of fear And I don’t know why I can’t look into its eye Maybe I sense death... Or maybe I fear That once fear is gone I... would have to appear. LILIANA KOHANN ©Artpeace Publishing 2001 |
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Excerpt From college student research paper
The poem "What a Fear" by Liliana Kohann is a powerful and evocative piece that delves deeply into the nature of fear and its profound impact on the human psyche. What stands out most to me is the poem's imagery and the way it personifies fear, making it feel almost like a living, breathing entity that can consume and overshadow one's entire existence. The lines "Its presence takes over everything around, my world, my dreams, and I... can’t be found," poignantly capture the all-encompassing nature of intense fear.
The twist at the end is particularly striking and thought-provoking. It took me by surprise. The idea that the author might fear the disappearance of fear itself, because it would force her to confront her true self, adds a layer of complexity and introspection to the poem. It suggests that sometimes, what we fear most is not the external threat, but the internal reckoning that comes with facing our own vulnerabilities and truths.
Overall, Kohann's poem is a beautifully crafted exploration of fear's dual role as both an obstacle and a mirror, reflecting our deepest insecurities and prompting us to confront our authentic selves. It's a poem that resonated with me on a deep emotional level and made me reflect on my own experiences with fear and self-awareness.
— Jack, college student 1st year, excerpt from his college paper sent to me by teacher
The twist at the end is particularly striking and thought-provoking. It took me by surprise. The idea that the author might fear the disappearance of fear itself, because it would force her to confront her true self, adds a layer of complexity and introspection to the poem. It suggests that sometimes, what we fear most is not the external threat, but the internal reckoning that comes with facing our own vulnerabilities and truths.
Overall, Kohann's poem is a beautifully crafted exploration of fear's dual role as both an obstacle and a mirror, reflecting our deepest insecurities and prompting us to confront our authentic selves. It's a poem that resonated with me on a deep emotional level and made me reflect on my own experiences with fear and self-awareness.
— Jack, college student 1st year, excerpt from his college paper sent to me by teacher
How this poem came to lifE
I was a happy mother of three little boys, pregnant with a fourth child. Together with my husband, we were building our dream life. At least, I thought that we were building it "together"... But one day, all my dreams of having a happy, complete family were shattered. It felt as if the rug was pulled out from under me, and I found myself on the floor with nothing but ONE GIANT FEAR. I won't go into the details of what happened, but I can say that on top of the enormous shock, I started bleeding and realized I was having a miscarriage. Curled up, lost, confused, scared, betrayed, and in the pain of losing my baby, I remained "lying on the floor," trying to push that giant fear away.
The hardest thing about being an immigrant is that in times like this, you have no family to turn to. Suddenly, I was alone, barely able to care for my three small children. Soon, the fear grew so overwhelming that I felt close to death. It was then that I decided to stop resisting the fear. I remember that moment vividly. I delved into all the sensations in my body, listening to my loud heartbeat. I didn't try to distract myself, pray, or breathe deeply. I picked up a pen and began writing what I was feeling. I allowed the FEAR to "take me" into its arms. As I kept writing, I completely surrendered to the sensation of my own death. It was terrifying... And it was then that the last line came to me out of nowhere... It was a complete surprise to me, as if someone else's hand had written it. I got chills. I read that line over and over again, "... once fear is gone, I would have to appear". I realized that I was sensing two things together: the death of my unborn child, and a part of me that was dying, but I also realized that a new part of me would be born. I COULD walk away from this dark and painful situation. I COULD change it. The person within me who had been betrayed, exploited, and neglected would have to re-emerge and say, "stop," "no more."
This moment is expressed at the end of my YouTube music video based on the poem, "As My Vision Keeps Improving." This moment inspired a profound shift in my life. To me, this poem is one of the greatest examples of the healing power of poetry written not only to express but also with the vulnerability and courage to LISTEN to the truths we sometimes don't want to hear.
The hardest thing about being an immigrant is that in times like this, you have no family to turn to. Suddenly, I was alone, barely able to care for my three small children. Soon, the fear grew so overwhelming that I felt close to death. It was then that I decided to stop resisting the fear. I remember that moment vividly. I delved into all the sensations in my body, listening to my loud heartbeat. I didn't try to distract myself, pray, or breathe deeply. I picked up a pen and began writing what I was feeling. I allowed the FEAR to "take me" into its arms. As I kept writing, I completely surrendered to the sensation of my own death. It was terrifying... And it was then that the last line came to me out of nowhere... It was a complete surprise to me, as if someone else's hand had written it. I got chills. I read that line over and over again, "... once fear is gone, I would have to appear". I realized that I was sensing two things together: the death of my unborn child, and a part of me that was dying, but I also realized that a new part of me would be born. I COULD walk away from this dark and painful situation. I COULD change it. The person within me who had been betrayed, exploited, and neglected would have to re-emerge and say, "stop," "no more."
This moment is expressed at the end of my YouTube music video based on the poem, "As My Vision Keeps Improving." This moment inspired a profound shift in my life. To me, this poem is one of the greatest examples of the healing power of poetry written not only to express but also with the vulnerability and courage to LISTEN to the truths we sometimes don't want to hear.
reflection prompts
By engaging with these prompts, we can explore the multifaceted nature of fear, the impact of trauma, and the potential for growth and healing through vulnerability and artistic expression.
1. Reflecting on the Power of Fear:
• Think about a time in your life when fear felt overwhelming. How did it affect your ability to function and make decisions? How did you cope with it?
2. Understanding Personal Trauma:
• Reflect on a time when you felt a profound sense of betrayal or loss. How did it change your perception of yourself and your life?
3. The Role of Vulnerability:
• The author mentions surrendering to fear and allowing herself to feel its full impact. Have you ever allowed yourself to be completely vulnerable in the face of a difficult emotion? What was the outcome?
• How does expressing vulnerability, as the author did through writing, help in processing and overcoming fear and pain?
4. Transformation and Resilience:
• The author describes a shift in her life after writing the poem, realizing that she could overcome her situation and change her life. Have you experienced a moment of clarity or transformation during a difficult time? What led to that realization?
• How can facing and expressing our deepest fears lead to personal growth and resilience?
5. The Healing Power of Art:
• Reflect on the idea that writing or creating art can be a form of healing. Have you used writing, art, or another form of expression to process your emotions? How did it help you?
• The author talks about the importance of listening to the truth we sometimes don't want to hear. How can creating or engaging with art help us confront and accept difficult truths about ourselves?
6. Isolation and Support:
• The author highlights the challenge of dealing with fear and trauma without a support system. Have you ever felt isolated during a tough time? How did it affect your experience of fear and your ability to cope?
• How important is having a support system during times of crisis? What can we do to support others who may be feeling alone and overwhelmed by fear?
7. Facing the Unknown:
• In the poem, the speaker fears what will happen once the fear is gone. Reflect on a time when you could be faced with the unknown or an uncertain future. How would you deal with the anxiety and fear associated with it?
• How can acknowledging and preparing for the unknown help us manage our fears and anxieties?
1. Reflecting on the Power of Fear:
• Think about a time in your life when fear felt overwhelming. How did it affect your ability to function and make decisions? How did you cope with it?
2. Understanding Personal Trauma:
• Reflect on a time when you felt a profound sense of betrayal or loss. How did it change your perception of yourself and your life?
3. The Role of Vulnerability:
• The author mentions surrendering to fear and allowing herself to feel its full impact. Have you ever allowed yourself to be completely vulnerable in the face of a difficult emotion? What was the outcome?
• How does expressing vulnerability, as the author did through writing, help in processing and overcoming fear and pain?
4. Transformation and Resilience:
• The author describes a shift in her life after writing the poem, realizing that she could overcome her situation and change her life. Have you experienced a moment of clarity or transformation during a difficult time? What led to that realization?
• How can facing and expressing our deepest fears lead to personal growth and resilience?
5. The Healing Power of Art:
• Reflect on the idea that writing or creating art can be a form of healing. Have you used writing, art, or another form of expression to process your emotions? How did it help you?
• The author talks about the importance of listening to the truth we sometimes don't want to hear. How can creating or engaging with art help us confront and accept difficult truths about ourselves?
6. Isolation and Support:
• The author highlights the challenge of dealing with fear and trauma without a support system. Have you ever felt isolated during a tough time? How did it affect your experience of fear and your ability to cope?
• How important is having a support system during times of crisis? What can we do to support others who may be feeling alone and overwhelmed by fear?
7. Facing the Unknown:
• In the poem, the speaker fears what will happen once the fear is gone. Reflect on a time when you could be faced with the unknown or an uncertain future. How would you deal with the anxiety and fear associated with it?
• How can acknowledging and preparing for the unknown help us manage our fears and anxieties?
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