Brain

my jaw locks helplessly,

words come out with difficulty,

every joint of me trembles,

my palms get slippery with sweat,

the backs of my ears beat along with my heart

I know that my anxiety

is just my brain

trying very hard

to keep me alive

but, 

brain, 

ordering food at McDonald's

does not put me in danger

and asking a Target manager

if she has this in a size ten

won't kill me

and I know

you are just attempting

to protect me

but,

brain,

I wish you wouldn't try so hard