We hide among the rest,

Fearful and in distress.

But, never will we write a nametag

Saying, "Hello, I'm anxious",

Yet people treat us as if we did.

Everyone says it's all in our heads,

Just something our thoughts manifest.

They say just to calm down,

Like there's nothing wrong,

And that it all will be okay someday.

It's never that simple, and we know.

The words in our heads

Run laps around all day, saying

Oh you should've

Only if you could've

But what would've happened

If you did?

All the "what ifs" become

The thoughts you forbid,

But they invade your mind

Like any parasite

And take over your life,

One short breath at a time.

We drown in our own fears

And in lively chatter or pointless banter.

Each hushed whisper

Is a scream in our peace.

It's impossible to sleep,

Unable to count any sheep,

And to breathe each breath

Without being overwhelmed
By the oxygen that fills our lungs.

Every day reminds us

Nothing is okay, and neither are we.

It's not easy to change

Our brain chemistry and our pasts

Just to stop for a moment

And catch up with a long breath.

The last thing we would ever need

Is someone telling us

That we are crazy, and not to worry,

Because we would if we could.