No Fear

 “Follow your dreams”, they say, but this is not an unconditional statement.

What they mean is “follow the dreams we want you to have”.

“Do what makes you happy”, they tell us, with the not so silent addition of: “as long as it makes you enough money”.

Because of course success is measured in dollar signs, and who cares if you’re truly happy.

They want us all to reach high but not too high

So they’ve installed in us a fear of heights, and now we are all terrified of falling. 

“The sky’s the limit”, we always say.

And I wish we’d stop telling this to children who dream of being astronauts.

And I wish I’d never heard the phrase: “starving artist”.

“Art is a hobby and not an occupation”.

I’m so tired of hearing this statement.

And no I am not okay with, “doing it on the side”, no, not for the rest of my life.

And no I don’t have a “plan B”, and stop telling me I need one. 

Your dumbfound looks are not appreciated when I tell you I’ll be an art major. 

I’m no longer sorry if this doesn’t meet expectations

Because I can no longer handle the heart break of: “But you had so much potential”

And you don’t have to tell me:

“You’re paying for a degree you’ll never use with money you don’t have”.

Because maybe you’re right, but I’m no longer scared of falling

My only fear is not trying.