“I already wrote an original poem about my ‘night terrors’, entitled “In Darkness”, for Laura Bloomsbury’s September 10th ‘Making Much of Madness’ prompt, but this past piece was so on the prompt, I wanted to include it. I had posted a new revision of this poem for Laura’s prompt, but it wasn’t as positive — so I took it down.”
slinking
in the corridors of my mind
it frightens me
because it is me
the uncertain me
in the ruthless grip
of the devious unknown
it lurks in shadow
collecting the dark matter
that steals into my days
bleeds into my nights
that ensnares me
in times of weakness
it seeks to find
a corner of my soul
in which to hide
to sulk
to secure a foothold
this awful seed of depression
endeavoring to take root
to grow
seldom does it sustain foothold
for now
restrained
kept at bay
by my inner-dwelling light
which still has purchase
that thankfully
still seems to hold sway
over my inner darkness
violence in check
this darkness
has great cunning
but I still find light enough
to stem
the pitch black
the dark demons within
the ones that strike out
that belittle
and dress down others
that easily find fault
criticize
insult
driven by my pain
my anguish
my angry insecurity
but I will always seek the light
and the meds
so by and large
my demons are controlled
pray they always remain so
rob kistner © 2019