RISKS...

I read this poem in a book & like it very much. I hope, you also like it.
To laugh is to risks appearing the fool.
To weep is to risks appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risks involvement.
To expose feelings is to risks exposing your true self.
To place ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risks being called naive.
To love is to risks not being loved in return.
To live is to risks dying.
To hope is to risks despair.
To try is to risks failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risks nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, & becomes nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrows, but they can't learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by their certitude, they are slaves; they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is truly free.