Panic Attack Poem by Alessandra Liverani

Panic is a feeling that we all know very well
Anxiety and uneasiness are others I could tell
Although they serve a purpose, we avoid them at all cost
When they appear within us we'd like to tell them to get lost

But if we discover in the dead of night
Our house has flames shining oh so bright
It's panic that makes us run for our life
We know if we stayed we'd be in big strife

Panic is a quick, instantaneous reaction
We need to respond quickly to feel satisfaction
But sometimes it needs to be overridden
Not always should we answer to its bidding

The fear of low nicotine in the blood
Is one infamous example of such a dud
You feel the panic start to rise
'Light up a smoke' a voice within you cries

We can let panic grow faster and faster
Or we can let ourselves become its master
Remember that panic will not last forever
We can overcome it if we are very clever

If we ride it through calmly knowing it won't last
Realise it may return but know it'll be outclassed
Eventually it will accept defeat most graciously
And we can live our lives ever so much more vivaciously

Sydney, Australia - 2003