Panic Attack


You leave the safety
of your front gate
and enter into fear.
The early morning quiet
magnifies your every movement 
into a noise - footsteps,
breath, the sound
of arms scraping
against a coat.
You don't want 
to be heard.

There is nothing
to hold onto 
in this ocean of streets,
houses and motorcars.
The world is bottomless
and beneath your feet
there is terror.
You are now
too far out.

You try and hold 
your breath
as you begin 
to feel the panic grip.
The mind thrashes
in a pointless effort
to surface but you
are too deep.
A scream gets stuck
in your throat.

Somehow you survive,
get washed up
feeling wrung out 
and alone
on the shores
of yourself.
Beached between
guilt and shame,
you hide
in that familiar place
you keep coming back to,
time and time again.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Lane Avatar
March 2, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Paul Willason: narrator of the new Twilight Zone episodes! These lines are totally Rod Serlingesque, Paul. The no commercial version and I’m ready for the part where I scream. A titch different style for you but just as poetically amazing.
Willason Avatar
March 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Oh dear...referencing Twilight Zone betrays our age dearest Lin...I can remember as a child watching each episode...in black and white too. Thankyou for jumping into this poem, not the most happy of places. That mind of yours, as evidenced by your poetry and comments, is so agile...what's your secret. Cheers dear Lin..... Paul
M  Avatar
March 2, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Oh Paul l hear you loud and clear and relate big time! I have from suffered panic attacks and it is such a scary experience…..that overwhelming fear that encompasses your whole body as pure dread takes over….horrible and frightening and you unable to do anything to stop it when its in full flight as you have no power within you to stop it! A brilliant write my lovely friend! Debx
Willason Avatar
March 3, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Sad in a way that the poem resonates with you my dear Deb, meaning you too have been there....not a pleasant place. Thankyou for sharing your experience, moving comments. Strange how such a condition can lay dormant for years then suddenly surface. Has been an unwelcome companion of mine since childhood. Take care dear friend...very much value your kind words.
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