Poetry

The Hydra (2/23/23)

Anxiety whispers in my ear
Lists
Every
Thing
That can go wrong
Infinite possibilities in a second

Every text from my kids
Tragedy
Accident
Sickness
Their names on the caller id?
My heart pounds out of my chest

Sleepless nights
Worrying
Panicking
Tossing
Turning
Staring at an empty pillow

One of my deepest fears realized
Anxiety laughs
Tightens her grip
On my emotions
Reminds me
Tragedy is possible

Safety
Security
Happiness
Reality?
Illusion?
Myth?

I try to laugh at Anxiety
Call her out
Force her into the Light
Banish her to Darkness
Take away her Power
Cut off her head

But she is like a hydra
Sprouting heads
Again and again
Laughing
Louder and louder
At me