I don't need to find a reflection to tell you
Where the shadows have settled beneath my tired eyes,
Or where my hair has thinned
Or where my skin has paled.
I can feel this exhaustion deep beneath the sullen expression.
I feel it in my bones, creaking with each movement,
In my stomach, churning and angry.
This is far beyond yesterday's smeared makeup and creased brow.
I have memorized anxiety's poetry on my body like my favorite song.
And while I can never forget the lyrics,
I can take the track off repeat and listen to a new one.