The monster in your chest is unruly,

He claws, and he roars,

And he traipses around

And he acts like he

owns your body.

You feel like you’re running and spinning,

But you’re not,

You’re just simply sitting.

Whether lies, fears, rumors,

will soon become tumors

that plant in your stomach and

heart.

Like a vine that is creeping

to your soul it is seeping

the anxiety now becomes a part.

Soon it controls you

and that monster does own you

and to fix it …

You don’t know where to start.

Melanie Walker

Age 18, Grade 12

Parkland High School

Parkland School District