I must admit that this poem was not at all what I thought it was going to be about simply going by the title. And I’m assuming that that was the point, because the metaphor that Jae Nichelle weaves regarding her anxiety is incredibly powerful.
I should say up front that I have never struggled with anxiety. The concept as a whole is very foreign to me, because while I do get stressed, I don’t get anxious. Even at my highest level of stress, the undercurrent is always even-keeled. But I do have very close friends who struggle with anxiety, and so while I may not understand how debilitating it can be from personal experience, I do understand. And I emphasize. I can’t imagine how exhausting it must be to have to constantly fight against your brain like that.
It’s one of the many reasons why I will forever marvel at people’s ability to not only put this fight into beautifully crafted words, but to also get onstage and perform them while struggling with anxiety. I hate public speaking at the best of times, so performances like this are extraordinary to me. All the kudos to Jae Nichelle.
Suggestions for artists I should check out? Please contact me with your ideas. I hope you enjoyed your daily helping of art!
