A Deep, Dark Worry by Aesha Marie Heron, age 12

Junior (9-12) Winner, Writing Rammy 2021

It’s thrashing about

Punching and kicking

Guilt swells up inside

Sickening screams dwell louder and louder

It follows me around

Like a shadow

And spies on me

Like a slithering snake

Restless it is

Restless as hell

Not stopping

No distractions, not one

It keeps me up all night

I’m tossing and turning

Infiltrating my mind

Like a virus

My stomach lurches

And my heart races

Tingling feelings

And collywobbles

It’s growing bigger and stronger

Its claws bite my lips

Power, like no other

Its mind poisons another

I drag it around with me

Hauling and heaving

Mind straining with the burden

Bricks piling upon my back

When will it go?

When will it leave?

Why is it here?

Help me…. help me

I cannot describe it

Too wicked

But I guess you’ve had it…

A deep, dark worry