Shy

the benefit of self-deprecation

of the shy word, of the half-hearted attempt,

of the avoidant procrastination

unconscious as it may be

is that it avoids the stark contrast

between the radiant hope, valiant action of the full-hearted

and failure

plain and true.

this abrupt contrast, when one finds it,

can hurt the part of self

that believes one is worthy

like aspiring to fly

and falling flat from high above.

it can hurt

dearly

thus we sometimes learn to avoid

the high attempts and grand ideals

and to pretend they are false

by labelling the high-minded as snobbish

the lofty as pretentious

the hopeful as deluded

the idealistic as fanatical

heedless of our own accuracy.

yes, we can choose to merely step and crawl

in this hurdle-littered world

or to stay snugly still,

instead of risking

the great and the bold and the sharp,

the leap and the flight and the flow.

it's just worth remembering the potential

that the world offers

is a whole lot more.