Classic Poem

Fear wakes with me
And walks with me all day,
Whispering incessant murmurs that sicken my ears.
I cry to him to go and put him from me—
Over and over I put him from me—
But always he stays and drags on my feet.

I dare not look behind or step before;
He mocks me in all my intent,
Tangles my word and my thought,
And when I think to escape from him in sleep
He lies down by my side;
I dream him in my dreams:

Questioning me, what if, what if, what if?
So that I long to be awake and rise;
But then he rises too,
Is waiting behind me, beside me,
All day he follows, follows,
Behind me, beside me;
All day, all day he feeds upon my peace.