Anxiety – the buzzing bee

The buzzing bee is making its way towards me. 

It begins as a faint hum in the distance.
I sense its approach even before it reaches me. 
It doesn’t care how unwanted it is here. 
It announces itself anyway. 

The presence is sharp and prickly. 
Immediately my body flinches. 
On high alert. Bracing. 

I sway from left to right to try and avoid it.
But it only mirrors me.

The buzz so loud is drowns out all other sounds.
Scratchy, electric 
Unsettling me.
Can you hear it?

It traps me in my own space.
Circling me.
Can you see it?

I hold my breath.
Shrink myself to convince it to leave.
Can you feel it?

I must not show I am afraid.
I must not provoke it. 
I keep talking as normal.
I smile. 

All the while it darts around me, 
quietly claiming every inch of me.