Anxiety

What I felt, on my way, to visit a friend, yesterday.

Why now

And at this time

That I should feel

Your presence

Upon me.

Slowly

Slipping into

My body.

As

My fight/flight instinct rears

Its ugly head.

Heart rate explodes

Into a thousand palpitations

With each one

A little death.

Feeling

The car's wall

Closing in

Upon me.

But

Was sitting

In a nearly vacant

Subway car

Trying to finish

A crossword puzzle.

Having past

My usual crisis point

For anxiety/panic attacks.

Switching

From the East/West track

To the North/ South one

Where the cars

Are packed like sardines

Minus the sauce.

Reviews

[.]

~ i love the way you write... you're so skilled and yet there is no loss of resolution in terms of the emotions expressed... "anxiety" is a complex subject but you took the reader into its many realms... the "why now" question... the physical discomfiture... the "fight/flight instinct"... the "heart rate"... the claustrophobia-like feeling... the attempt to complete that "crossword puzzle"... and the closing lines... where courage begins to enter the scene despite the images around... ~ this was the anatomy of "anxiety"... excellent work...

[therisa]

Thank you, Serah. But I am still learning the craft of putting words together, in a flowing manner.

[.]

~ you're very welcome... ~ and i just recommended someone to you... he's the master of flow... :)

[TL Boehm]

Heart rate explodes
Into a thousand palpitations
With each one
A little death.

I have palpitations daily so this really hit me - it is exactly how it feels when for that nth of a second your heart seems to stop in your chest. Doesn't matter what the doctor says - the feeling still resonates....

[therisa]

Oh Tammy, I would offer you, a hug, if it would take away your palpitations, for you.