There is a kind of anxiety
that comes from the unknown
and a kind of anxiety
that comes from the past,
fear of repeat…or worse.

Anxiety that comes from
knowing too well what can happen—
the statistics—forgetting
they do not apply to individual acts.

Anxiety transferred osmotically from someone,
from feeling particularly unlucky
or disconnected or alone.
Anxiety as a reasonable response
though not helpful and hard on the heart.

Roll all kinds into a firm ball
like thick mud or cookie dough
and with a windup to prepare
and a step in proper form
(or just the desire to release)

throw so far no one will ever
exceed the distance,
so far anxiety will never
come oozing or drizzling
or whizzing back.

Margaret Dubay Mikus
© 2013

From my book, “Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine”