The Power Of My Demon

A Poem by CHANDNI SETHI

"How insensitive!" they remarked,
When they saw me back away.
But they didn't know why I chose to not speak.
My mouth was forced shut by a demon stronger than me.

There was chaos in my movement,
"Calm down!" they said to me.
But they didn't know why I chose to be restless.
I was dancing with the demon stronger than me.

"Relax a little!" they tried to help me,
When they saw that I couldn't sleep.
But they didn't know why I chose to stay awake,
My mind was being emptied by a demon stronger than me.

"Cheer up!" they yelled at me,
When they saw me give up.
But they didn't know why I chose to slow down.
My entire belief system was torn down by a demon stronger than me.

The choices they saw me make,
Were never really my decree.
They were made by the demon that was stronger than me.
I cried tears of desperation,
When I told them - in a hope to be free -
Why I regret giving more power to my demon, Anxiety.