Poem “Panic Wave”

Panic Wave

when dread of the unknown gets a grip and panic washes over:

scared

stomach tightens

whole body tenses

anxiety heightens

breathing shallow

difficult to take a deep breath

start to panic

breathing faster

can’t get out of my skin

no escaping

thoughts of doom and shame

all sense of self-esteem

and confidence shrinking and withering

finally catch one deeper breath

trying to slow my mind

another deeper breath

the panic wave starts to recede

body is beginning to release its rigor

sleep beckons

nmk

Neal Klein
Life After Emilee, on the loss of my wife to pancreatic cancer. I’m not accepting comments right now but please feel free to get in touch via my Contact page.