panic attacks | Linda Carpenter
i used to worry the day
the night before
butterflies feeding on flowers of dread
in my belly
i used to jitter through
coffee and nicotine filling
my bloodstream
every evening
beer soothed my throat
hoarse from
screaming at lunch
in the washroom
 
breaking down
bit by bit
freed the monarchs
so that they touched the window
of my hospital room
i could see them
see that
locked up
panic had freedom
 
Linda Carpenter