Ocean Poem About Fear: "If Only"

Letting go of fear is easier said than done. It grips us like an undertow. This ocean poem about fear explores the emotions that deter us from living freely, that keep us stuck in the relentless spinning vortex of fear. 

Swimming parallel to shore releases you from an undertow's grip. Perhaps we can take that advice and run fear and it's opposite emotion parallel together, until we're released from danger. Who knows? It's worth a try. 

If Only

The sea calls to me
If I could only hear it
Over the crashing waves
If I could only see it
Through the sun's blinding rays
If I could only smell it
Beyond a trawler's catch
If I could only feel it
And not be so detached
If only I could just let go
Of ifs that stand in my way
I would see the sparkling water
As sunlight paints the bay

Eyes protected
Skin sunblocked
Giving freedom to my senses
Would be too much of a shock
If only I could feel the waves
Ebbing beneath my feet
And remove the fear of sunstroke
In the summer heat
And remove the fear of undertows
And jellyfish stings
Red tides, pollution
And other such things

And dip my toes
Into the unending sea
Knowing that nothing
Would happen to me
If only I could just let go
Of fear deep down inside
I would jump into the ocean
And be carried by the tide
As playful as a dolphin
Leaping through the waves
Living unrehearsed
If only I could be that brave

© 2025 Aerwyna. All rights reserved.

Take A Moment To Reflect

Beneath The Surface

I rarely set out to assign meaning to a poem. You might see it differently than I do.

You may see the courage to confront fear and worry head-on here. Or predictable patterns of failure. Or the realization that missing out on life is no longer acceptable.

Whatever you find in it becomes part of the poem.

The Feeling Of This Poem

This poem carries self-deprecating humor, a remote sea, and the suggestion that change can occur even when unsure of its path.

It may resonate with those who talk themselves out of doing something in order to avoid feelings of uneasiness.

A Quiet Pause

If you'd like to linger a while longer:

• Which image stayed with you?
• How many "ifs" are standing in your way?
• Where is your tipping point between predictable and unrehearsed?
• When was the last time you pushed through a fear and came out the other side?
• What emotions accompanied that?
  
  
  
  

When You Might Return To This Poem

You might reach for this poem:

• when that small nudge of fear begins to set in
• as a reminder that if you step back and look at fear, it's often silly and ridiculous—something to be amused by
• when you need reassurance that fear is not a fact, but a well-rehearsed illusion and part of the story you tell yourself
  
  
  
  
  

FAQs

Can I share your poems with others?

Yes! I love when my poems resonate enough that you want to share them. For personal use—like including a poem in a letter, greeting card or journal—you're absolutely welcome to do so. If you'd like to share online, I'd appreciate if you share a brief excerpt (a few lines) along with my name and a link back to this page, rather than copying the full poem. This helps other readers discover my work, which means the world to me as an independent writer.

Can I use your poems for commercial purposes?

Commercial use, adaptations, publications, or reproducing full poems requires my permission. Please contact me if you're interested in using my work in these ways—I'm happy to discuss it.

What if I just want to quote a line or two?

Brief excerpts with attribution are fine, especially if you're discussing the poem, using it for inspiration, or sharing what moved you. Just please credit me by name and link back to my site when sharing online.

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If You Like This Ocean Poem About Fear...

Some readers choose to carry this poem into their own story. It's available from my Etsy Shop as a printable digital download (paid link) designed for both US letter and A4 sizes. Three scenes included.

Thanks for connecting with my poetry!