“Panic” Poem of the Day (2022)

Panic

By Ashley O’Hare

Panic.

Cold, numb panic.

Little me remains oblivious,

but my grown self welcomes it

like an old friend.

A friendship

with too much water under the bridge—

I’m drowning.

A friendship

with too many words left unsaid— 

I’m breathless.

A friendship

with a habit of leaving me in the dark—

I’m scared.

But I have grown fond

of the squeezing in my throat;

like an internal hug.

Without it

I am lost.

Without it

I stand a chance at happiness.

I do not know what to do with that.