because this year

i will not be afraid,

i will not be afraid of my body

or my voice

so i will speak, and

i will act.

because this year

i will not be afraid,

i will not be afraid of truth

or of truly loving

so i will befriend, and entrust,

and adore.

because this year

i will not be afraid,

i will not be afraid of potentiality

or growth or even strain

so i will push, and i will work,

and i will sweat. 

because this year,

i will not be afraid.