I'm Not Afraid

You know something funny? Jenny's afraid of water. 1

I mean, she swims so well, but, still, she's afraid of water. She won the regionals--the fucking-trophy-of-her-life REGIONALS--last year, and she's afraid of water. She won't even go near the sea.2

Not me.3

Katie? She's afraid of darkness.4

I mean, she sleeps, and all, but, still, she's afraid of darkness. When the lights go out at night, she crawls into my bed talking about the ghosts in the hallway, and has to hold my hand--like Big Brother will protect her, or something.5

I don't understand.6

I’m not afraid of anything, be it mountains, water, dragons, dark, or sky. Tell me, where’s the challenge if you never try? You just watch me fly—I’m not afraid.7

And Daddy’s afraid of babies.8

I mean, he got through me, but, now, he’s afraid of babies. Not, like OH SWEET JESUS IT’S A BABY AAH. No. Something bigger than that. I guess…he’s scared of what they’ll be.9

Please. Not me.10

And Momma’s afraid of crying. She can look at me with tears stuck in her eye. Maybe she thinks letting go would make her weak. Really, I don’t know why.11

I swear, I’m not afraid of anything—not growing old, or going out of style. Why give up what you want without a trial? I’ll go another mile—I’m not afraid.12

Not even when I get onstage. Oh no. That’s just beautiful. It’s there that I hear the calling of adventure; hear that peomise of tomorrow—that stirring in my bones. And you know something else? David loves me.13

He’s just afraid to hold me.14

But just listen to that calling of excitement! Can you feel the pounding of my heart? The lights are ready; pulse is steady—I can start! Never stop the calling of a challenge, blessing all the water and the stones. And David loves me.15

He’s afraid to trust me. He’s afraid to hold me. And he’ll always be.16

He’s afraid of me.17

And I’m not afraid of anyone. I always win, with anyone at all. I’m not afraid of anyone. ‘Cause not a soul alive can get behind this wall.18

So you let them call.19

And watch them fall.20

‘Cause after all, I’m not afraid.

Author notes

OKAY.
This is so not winning any contest, but here's the deal:
I wanted to pay homage to one of my all-time favorite songs--"I'm Not Afraid of Anything" by Jason Robert Brown. A lot of his is direct lyric-quote, so I guess it's not my own beauty.

ANYWAY... I was going for a simpler kind of beauty here. That's why this is just flat narration. I just wanted something very frank. I don't know.

I fail. Hearts for Tay, and you for reading this far.

A contest entry

You believe me, right?

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    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
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Comments

1 - 5 of 5
  • simplestuff
    June 13
    Edit | Reply
    I've never heard the song, but I thought was excellent. Very well done.

    beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.


  • beezy92
    January 28
    Edit | Reply
    CONGRATS!!!!!!! (:


  • Kevan gold member
    January 14

    Edit | Reply
    I agree with Taylor... your simplicity and depth working together really made this story a success. It is unique in relative to other stories I've read. I can't even think of one that's turned out like this... except for this one.

    xoxox.
    Kevan.


  • Taylor Renee
    January 4
    Edit | Reply
    Hearts for me? Well, thank you! Hugs for you.

    Now onto this, because I'm very pleased, thank you very much.

    "ANYWAY... I was going for a simpler kind of beauty here. That's why this is just flat narration. I just wanted something very frank. I don't know." <- Do you know that right there is mostly why you are my first finalist?

    That, coupled with the fact that you are a newbie, and I absolutely adore this?

    Yay you.

    I absolutely believe you captured that simple beauty. I loved the lyrics, I think it fit perfectly.

    This is the first entry so far that I've actually smiled at and thought really fit what I wanted. Maybe I wasn't clear, but you got it right.

    This is brilliant. The sheer... simplicity... and depth...

    *Shivers.*

    Just know that I love this.

    Thanks so much for taking the time for my contest, and I wish you the utter best of luck.

    xoxo
    -♥-
    Tay

  • beezy92
    December 31, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Ooooh I loved this! (: I like that song, first of all, and I liked your take on it. Especially from line 13 on. I loved the first part too it was funny, but the rest was serious and poetic even though it's prose. (That word always confuses me so if I used it wrong I don't really care.) (:

1 - 5 of 5