no longer held captive

dear anxiety,

you have been with 

me for what feels 

like eons, now.

you have whispered

honey-coated

words

that have stuck 

to my ears

like the syrup

that used to cling 

to the happy-faced

child

i once was.

ironically, 

you told me

that i didn’t have

to worry anymore,

that you were the 

one thing

that would never leave

me.

you have 

loved me,

cherished me,

kept me,

held me,

for so long.

but, i can no longer

allow you to live

through me. 

with love,

kylee.