as human beings

we often allow ourselves

to be squashed by our own anxieties

it is time we learned

to stand up to ourselves

to say

i am in charge here

i am important

to say

no

you listen to me now

and kick that anxiety to the curb

if only it were that easy

but maybe it is

parts of me hope that it is

i just have not been able to

find my path to that place

where i can say

you listen to me now

instead of allowing

my anxiety

to keep me right under

its thumb

im squashed

i cant breathe

please help

ouch

i want to be better

i want to grow

i want to feel normal

and sane

and safe

but i dont

it could be worse

i suppose

but thats not what i want to talk about

i am breaking free of this shell

i am leaving it behind

i am saying good bye

i am kicking anxiety in the face

i was anxious

i was scared

i couldnt function

most people didnt understand

sometimes their words hurt

but you gotta thicken your skin

dont live under the impression

that you cant move forward