it’s frightening
that all
i have to do
to avoid
stupid fights
with people
i don’t know
and who
don’t know me
is simply
shut up
and say nothing.
that’s so easy,
yet almost impossible.
the idea
that the world
(the few dozen people
in the world
who will actually
read my words)
needs & must have
my thoughts 
on this
or any topic
is so ridiculous,
i wonder
where i store
this audacity
when i need it
for something
important
i end up
not doing
out of fear.
my silence
will deprive
the world
of almost
nothing.
my silence
will give me
a chance
to not feel
the shame
of not feeling
ashamed
of my
arrogance.