Afraid

Why was I scared? Where did it come from?
I'd be on my hands and knees, hiding,
under tables, scared that teachers would get me.
I remember growing up quiet and timid because
"children were meant to be seen, not heard."

In school, looking, searching, afraid
of not being able to move forward, afraid
of not having enough skills, afraid
of being hurt, of not being educated, afraid
of being limited or criticized, afraid
of being held back, afraid of inexperience, afraid
of speaking before groups. I wonder
where did this timidity come from?