Another Anxiety Story

by Ben Kuhn

We arrive, yet again,

into the chamber

of the incandescent

feelings of Peril,

Doubt, and

Shame.

I feel it returning.

The full body pins and needles

prickling their way

up to my stomach,

which flutters with pangs of

Pressure.

My lungs squeeze and

release

in the midst of my heartbeat,

punching against my chest,

sparring with my skin

and my Aorta.

I’m smart, right?

Right?

Why does this keep coming back?

I’m smart. I’ve been told

smart people wouldn’t do this.

Would they?

No matter the size,

no matter the impact,

Smart People would never

make a mistake.

How? They’re Smart.

They, not we, make

no mistakes.

They calculate,

they detail,

and they strive for

every detail of every thought to be

flawlessly executed and

revered.

But me?

I may be told,

but I’ll never believe,

not unless the fear perishes,

Forever.