a poem for anxiety

I've grown to find comfort

in the discomfort.

When it creeps in--

tightening my chest,

shortening my breath,

twisting my stomach

I can breathe and not be afraid of it.

I've grown to welcome

the discomfort with open arms.

I know there's a reason it is there--

and pushing it away will only make it stronger.

I've learned that it is a feeling

I can physically breathe out of my body

If I just focus hard enough.

It comes and it comes

But I know it now. I've learned it well.

I can welcome it

I can dance with it

I can talk to it

I can nurture it

until it no longer needs a home.

-lx