I’ve been an anxious personality
as long as I remember. Was I born
with it, or did I drink Mom’s tendency
along with infant formula? I’ve sworn
it off ten thousand times, but then I tense
my neck and jaw until the pains remind
my ways. The agitation makes no sense,
but maybe I was formed to be this kind.

I used to think environment meant more
than most genetic traits, but that was wrong.
I vowed to fairly raise the kids I bore,
but learned that they came fully baked; along
with helplessness they signaled how they were,
so maybe for this me, there is no cure.