Ode to Anxiety

As a child, I welcomed you with open arms
       Because I knew you were only trying to save me from harm.
You taught me to be wary of heights, sharp objects, and men.
        You were my guardian holding my hand till the ripe age of ten
But as I started growing older now, taller and stronger.
        You began to grow with me, telling me not to wander.
You were my shadow, haunting me at every sight
        Telling me everything would try to bite.
You now welcomed me with a racing heart
        And began to make my breathing kick-start.
Everything that once made me full of wonder
        Had suddenly begun to become my blunder.

As a teenager, I tried turning my back on you
        But you knew of this trick, so you began to stick.
Instead of saving me, you had become my own worst enemy.
        You didn’t save me from harm and you weren’t my knight in shining garms.
I tried leaving you at home before, but I couldn’t leave you at the door.
         I tried everything to now get rid of you, since my thoughts are now rather blue.
But how can one run from their own personal gun?