Kim Merryman Poet Free verse

Affliction

Pulsating tendrils of terror
Weave themselves through my brain,
Around my heart.  Squeezing.  
Strangling logic.
Peace shattered by panic's explosion.
My hands, slick with sweat,
Tremble violently.  My stomach
Twists itself into knots. My heart
Is a run away train.
God help me! I'm going to die!
Over and over and over like a
Recurring nightmare, I am thrown
Into the maelstrom of irrational fear.
A gun to your head kind of fear.
A nightmare I can't wake up from.
Sanity is waning --
Must.  Get.  Help!
Anxiety Panic Disorder,  they call it.
A chemical imbalance of the brain, they call it.
I call it hell.

12/14/2011
Kim Merryman
(Thank God, I did receive medical attention and have been on medication for 22 years.  I rarely have an attack now.)

Entered in PD's "May the Best Descriptive Poem Win..." contest

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Carrie Richards March 24, 2013 at 9:01 AM I'm so glad to know this is all behind you......but your descriptions were so real, that I could feel the panic......amazing descriptions!

Andrea Dietrich March 23, 2013 at 8:29 PM My husband has this too. You describe it incredibly well, my friend. I wish I saw more of you here. Congrats on the win. At least I saw you thru seeing this winners' list.

Poet Destroyer A March 23, 2013 at 5:26 PM Kim, :-) Congratulations ~ Thanks for supporting my "descriptive poem" contest. Always yours truly* Linda

Joe Flach January 11, 2012 at 2:40 PM Wow, Kim - this is a mesmorizing, terrorizing poem that, I think, so succinctly captures the fear, anxiety and panic that someone suffering from this disorder must really experience. Glad to hear that you have that under control - but the experience led you to one amazing write. Thanks for your willingness to share this with us. Joe

Elizabeth Wesley December 16, 2011 at 2:52 PM You describe the terror so that the reader feels it too. So glad it has resolved and that there are drugs to heal.

Christopher Stones December 15, 2011 at 5:03 PM It truly is terrifying to experience. It clouds reason and logic. It's a day to day struggle, but finding the right medication helps a lot. Peace love and hope I believe also go a long way :)

Jack Horne December 15, 2011 at 2:58 PM Seriously scary write, Kim - it sounds like Hell indeed. I'm so glad the medication is helping, my friend

Nette Onclaud December 15, 2011 at 11:49 AM oh, this is a fearless, breathing piece, kim.. nice to know you're in the best of shape now.. winning wishes and congrats on your past wins!

Kimberly Larocca December 15, 2011 at 1:53 AM Wow, what a powerful poem. I'm glad you were OK. I never realized the severity of anxiety panic disorder.