Christen Foster Poet Free verse

Dear Anxiety

Dear Anxiety,

I know, understand and 
inner-stand 
that you are only
Trying to protect me
 from being hurt, exposed ?and exploited
By the outer world.

For you’re existence in my life
 is the product of all my 
Life experiences up until today.

Everything I ever went through 
dealing with another human being
You took the form of my inner critic
to  haunt me every step of the way.

I used to think you came
only to ruin me.

A storm in human clothing.

But lately I wonder
if you are tired too.

Do you believe
if you worry enough,
nothing can hurt us?
Do you think fear
is the same thing as preparation?

and call it safety.?Sometimes you pull me so far?into tomorrow?I forget there is a today?waiting patiently for me?to arrive.
Still—?beneath your noise,?I hear something smaller.
A plea.
Slow down.?Pay attention.?Rest.
?Protect what matters.?Do not hand your heart?to places that treat it carelessly.
Maybe you were never trying?to destroy me.?Maybe you just never learned?how to speak softly.
So sit with me awhile, Anxiety.?Not at the wheel,?but beside me.

You can point at the cliffs?without convincing me?we are destined to fall.
And if you must stay,?then learn this too:?I am more than a body?bracing for impact.

I want mornings?that do not apologize for existing.?I want laughter?that reaches all the way through me.?
I want to trust the ground?beneath my own feet.
Tell me what you need to say—?but say it gently.

I am listening 

Sincerely a Restless Poetic Soul

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