Admit that you’re scared
and then do something about it.
Admit that you’re scared
and take a chance.
Admit that you’re scared
that you’re worried
that you’re unlovable
and irrelevant
and maybe even insipid.
Admit it
and get past it.

Admit you’re afraid
of all the things you’ve failed to do
and continue to fail to do
because success seems so inconceivable
that it seems to come
from some foreign culture
you only saw once on PBS.
Admit your ineptitude
and anxiety about how everyone can see
what a fucking fraud you are:
incompetent and awkward
in all the worst ways.

Accept that you’re frightened, man.
It isn’t so hard
and anyway
it’s so bleeding obvious.
Everyone can tell what’s wrong with you.
Just say it
and everything’ll get easier afterwards.
Do it,
you fucking coward.