Solicitous

Whispers of darkness across my skin.
Close my eyes and count to ten.
One, shadows creep across the floor,
Down the hall and to my door.
Two, curl up into a ball,
To keep from feeling like I'm gonna fall.
Three, take a breath to contain,
All the voices inside my brain.
Four, goosebumps appear along my arms,
Ears start ringing with alarms.
Five, as it happens I exhale,
Trying to get my mind back on the rails.
Six, take a peek until I see,
All the darkness surrounding me.
Seven, shut my eyes really tight,
Trying to fight with all my might.
Eight, I force myself to believe
Nothing is happening to me.
Nine, I take a breath and hold it in,
Wishing it was gone again.
Ten, as my mind starts to clear,
I shed just one more tear.