my old friend, anxiety

sometimes my heart beats too fast

bludgeoning against my rib cage

as if it wants to escape desperately

from this prison called my body.

and then I get drenched with sweat

while my arms and legs go numb

as if someone has chained me and

thrown me into a whirlpool of misery.

the voices start screaming in my head &

paranoia rushes forth like viscous blood

while my vision goes blurry and I start

seeing things which I know aren't real.

I draw breath upon empty breath and

yet my lungs don't seem to get any air

when I notice someone whispering into

my ear - "your old friend, anxiety says

'Hello!'"