Anxiety (is the worst ughhhhh)

Don’t tell me it’s in my head

when it’s so clearly in

my lungs

crushing air like aluminum.

And in my fingers

rubbing my collarbone

or threatening

follicles on my scalp.

It is tangible

palpable

in the curling of my toes

in the scabs I ravage

until blood seeps like

coagulated fruit juice.

Don’t tell me it’s in my head

when its jaws are clamped

greedily

around my throat

squeezing.

It is not a part of me

it has infested me

chosen me as its

gracious host.

I want to feel nothing

slurp air noisily and wastefully

but you were right— now it’s

in my head

feasting, frenzied

poisoning from the inside out.