I had a bout of strong anxiety
a month ago. I recognized the stress,
although at first I worried I might be
about to have a stroke. I was a mess
and then resolved attempting to relax:
to slow my breath and strengthen my exhale.
I tried to counteract the sharp attacks.
I didn’t fully win or fully fail.

I have a friend who panicked yesterday –
she called and tried to get MD advice.
Between some cancellations and the way
her iPad wouldn’t work (it locked up twice),
she soon demanded pills to calm her nerves.
She didn’t opt to tap her own reserves.