BY LARISSA BENFEY
Copyright is held by the author.
it’s here again
the fear, again
it thrashes from within
the butterflies
have fangs and claws
that scratch beneath my skin
it doesn’t show
i’m silent, calm
on the outside, ever still
years of practice
fronting, hiding
the mask i wear, tranquil
it speaks again
i’m weak again
its whispers still my soul
paralyzed
locked in my mind
will i be swallowed whole?
***

Larissa is a writer, actor, and educator. She writes everything from novels to screenplays, and has recently become more intentional in the exploration of her neurodivergence within her writing. As someone who firmly believes in writing what she knows, she is constantly learning new things — like how it feels to get caught in the undertow of a wave, or jump out of an airplane at 14,000 feet. All in the name of research — and fun, of course. You can find Larissa on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @larissabenfey or on her website, www.larissabenfey.com
It’s so important to write about such things. Larissa, you described the fear that so many still secretly hide from the world. I could feel the fear “that thrashes from within” in your words. Thank you.
Thank you, Don. I hope in sharing it, that it’ll inspire others to reach out or open up to safe people in their lives, since so many of us have the same struggles, and don’t need to struggle alone. I appreciate your words too!