it slowly sinks into me.
drowning
(in the voices)
drowning
(in the noise)
drowning-
the cacophonous roar
it punches
it squeezes
it scratches at the entirety of my being.
the flickering bulbs
carve into my eyes.
air smothers my throat,
presses against my chest,
weakens my legs- my body crumbles across the carpeted floor.
i want to cry out,
'i need help'
my lips are frozen, my arms tremble.
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140,149 Literary Works • 673,032 Reviews
Before even reading the poem, the summary had me think of an Inside Out fanfiction I read long ago, where instead of the OC’s main emotion being Joy, it was Fear—and how a mind controlled by Fear reacted so much differently. Anxiety Orbs, I say.
Now that this tangent is over. Hello, hello!
Into the poem proper!
Oh I love how this poem shows the way your senses can become overwhelmed with sensations. Like, the voices, the lights themselves, maybe even the texture of the clothes you are wearing… (scratches at the very being had me think of the feeling of literally being unable to stand certain textures)
Hm I do feel like the ending is very abrupt. As in the narrator collapses, and is unable to cry out for help… but earlier you mention that there a voices contributing to their terrible state of mind—so there are ppl around. I think in that final stanza, the help will be there soon even without them needing to call for it no? Maybe this is a further extension of the anxiety, that because their body is locked down, in panic and/or in their own head, and they cannot call, because they are frozen… that ofc they cannot see that the other ppl could maybe help?
I find the verses very visceral, and I like the rhythm of the poem!
(And I have been told I interpret poems way too literally soo, hope this helps anyways ^^°)
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thanks for the review!
I found this poem pretty relatable since that's how anxiety works right? it's raw and immersive. The repetition of "drowning" and the vivid imagery of noise, flickering lights, and suffocating air make it feel like you're experiencing the panic alongside the speaker. My favorite part is the ending because it shows how anxiety can make someone want to ask for help but leave them unable to speak. Though overall, it's a great poem that expresses an overwhelming emotion without needing to explain it directly.
thank you!
I love when things are short but impactful. I noticed this work in the green room and thought I'd give it a review.
Not much to say about this. I feel like you did a great job capturing how anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks feel.
I really like those lines, describing how it feels to not be able to draw in breaths when you're mind is racing.
Another really good line describing not being able to do anything to help stop an anxiety attack. Not even call for help.
A really short work that I really loved and can honestly relate to as someone with anxiety. Keep up the good work my friend, and have a wonderful day/night!
thank you for the kind words!