sometimes it's self-inflicted

I wanna to drop kick it into another realm
turn my back
let it sit & fester
all by itself
but it's here & determined
...by me, if nothing else
resentment teases but it's fleeting
a complete waste of energy
and that's a very precious commodity  
best to sit down face-to-face
address it by it's proper name
see if it can't be dealt with
appropriately  
insidious...that's what it is
sneaking in with such stealth
taking up residence with its unwitting creator
unnoticed for a while
until I suddenly realize
I'm picking at the skin around my cuticles
so obsessively they bleed
pacing the confines of my self-imposed exile
forgetting to eat...
...or imbibing too much...
...not a modicum of moderation seen
only then...do I stop & take stock
figure out what's going on
and open a line of communication  
with my anxiety