FREE-FLOATING

Free-floating
No warning, no reason
It's irritating

Sense of panic comes and goes
In a way that rarely shows
Most often I ignore and carry onward in denial
Waiting for something that warrants focused worry
A frustrating trial

I can't pinpoint what is wrong
These jitters come but don't last long
Uneasiness and apprehension, torment and misgivings
Undone work and deadlines, loads of unread e-mail
Scared of what I'm missing

Excessive thinking all the time
Mulling over "what ifs" in my mind
Fear and worry, loss of interest
In my mental history I'm the sickest

I tried to write a happy song
In major key and not too long
General anxiety disorder, it took me over
Feeling on the edge, expecting the worst
And this is what I deliver

Free-floating
No warning, no reason
It's irritating

--August 2020, Ash Hall