A mild panic attack at the end of the day
Behind my heart is fluttering a fear that stills my feet;
a spreading heat, a weight, a clenched arrhythmic pulsing beat.
I tell myself what I’m observing, feeling into pain;
accepting everything that’s there and softening the strain.
All suffering, emotional or taut electric nerves,
is calling out for company; to be held and observed.
With hands warm on my heart I let the comfort spread until
the panicked immobility retreats; I know it will.
In trying to be helpful, function in this racing world,
I blunder: missing out the quiet pause that makes the pearl.
Just give your wisdom time to form, solidify, and let
the final insights take their place; don’t do it now, not yet.
That rush to have it over with, to move on to the next
self-fabricated duty is what’s put you in this mess.
Liz Kendall works as a Shiatsu and massage practitioner and Tai Chi Qigong teacher. Her poetry has been published by Candlestick Press, The Hedgehog Poetry Press, and Mslexia. Liz’s book Meet Us and Eat Us: Food plants from around the world is co-authored with an artist and ethnobotanist. It explores biodiversity through poetry, prose, and fine art photography. Her website is https://theedgeofthewoods.uk and she is on Twitter/X and Facebook @rowansarered, and on Instagram @meetusandeatus.
Amethyst Review 