People and me

People think it's funny to sing Georgia on my mind The first time it happened I was wearing A bubblegum pink swimsuit When my swim instructor sang I dove underwater The pool protecting my ears The most recent time it happened My friend's dad sang it on facetime I lowered the volume So it was barely a mumble People say Georgia, you worry too much If only they knew I feared the dark Back when I used to wear Nightgowns with dog paw patterns The night light That looked like a fireplace Crackling, glowing Defending me To the other day Flipping off the lights Sprinting a million miles an hour On all fours Up the stairs To safety Escaping the gloom People do not know I have anxiety Sometimes I cannot breathe When I panic Gulping for air Curled in the tightest ball Each and every muscle clenched Over a ceramic Slump bowl mold Due in T-minus six hours Georgia Tsai Badenhope '23

POETRY