Anxiety

A dragon stalks my steps

It's rank breath chilling my spine

I try to run from it

Try to jump from its snapping jaws

Try to spin away from it's poisoned claws

But there is no escape.

The monster is inside me

Curled up, slumbering in my gut

Until it thrashes awakes

Wings flapping in my rib cage

Sending bitter black poison up my throat

Whispering

That I will never succeed, never be enough

Shrinking me down

Until I am devoured

From the inside out.