Silence might be
my favorite noise --
albeit,
the loneliest.

Thoughts flood in.
But, what now?
I struggle with
expression,
articulation,
answers.

Frozen in place --
I can't speak.
It feels like
sleep paralysis.
My mind,
pinned down
by the weight of
anxiety,
panic.

Who knew
something so abstract
could feel so physical --
like
discomfort
dread,
a heartbeat
of hopelessness?

No one listens.
Or maybe --
I don't try.
It takes effort
to trust someone,
to let them in.

So, I stay
silent.