Dear Anxiety

Dear Anxiety,

You seem to prevent

me from taking a breath that’s more than a gasp.

Oh God

My breathing.

Someone is thinking about my breathing,

But I can’t help the elephant

Who’s grown accustomed to

Its seat on my chest.

A heavy weight…

Oh God

My weight.

Someone has to be thinking about my weight.

Knobby knees and elbows

My ribs jutting from my sides

Shards of glass trying

To cut their way out of my body

With each breath.

Each gasp.

Oh God

It’s my breathing again

Sincerely,

The body you’ve held as your silent prisoner for years.