Like stage fright, except on the city streets
Hyper aware of the death-marching feet
Hyper aware of your own perspiration
Hyper aware of your own condensation
You wish your heart would slow down
As you blindly navigate this neon-lit town
Where’s your car? Did you walk too far?
Did you park too close to the rowdy bar?
Deep breaths in and out, you’ve got this
And then insanity takes off like a rocket
Too many people with judgmental voices
Too many cars with horn-honking noises
A dark alley is better than any of this
A fast food restaurant would be bliss
A hotel lobby to stay for this one night
Until you overcome this crippling fright
Float in the pool, let the water calm you
Watch TV, whatever show you choose
Do you feel safe to go back outside?
Feel comfortable to lock up and hide?
A working day is around the corner
No days off, it’s what the boss orders
Pulling yourself together yet again
Is hard when comfort is easier to defend
Where are your pills? Back at your house?
Only one way to truly find the fuck out
Trapped in a cage like a common thief
Trapped in a mind with paranoid beliefs
Do you need a visit to the emergency room?
Or are you forever trapped in your own doom?
The phone is right there, pull it off the cradle
Put an end to this medieval Grim Dark fable
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
“I’m dying inside! It’s of utmost urgency!”
“I’m sending an ambulance to your location”
“Thank you for being good at your vocation”
Counting down the minutes and hours
Until you one day recharge your power
You never know when you’re coming back
Remember the name: it’s called a panic attack
