20

 

there is a darkness

I have known its presence
encountered its essence

it frightens me

it frightens me
because it is

because it is
so very devious
sinister
debilitating

all-consuming
if granted license

it lurks in shadow
collecting

collecting the dark matter
that steals into my life
into my heart

all the grief
failure
pain

all the terror
that has ensnared me
in times of weakness

all the empty blackness
that has befallen me

that has found a corner
of my soul
in which to hide

to sulk

secure foothold
like an awful seed
taking root

here it grows

here it dwells
manacled and restrained
in times of strength

kept in check
by my decent self

my self that loves
encourages
supports

that embraces possibility

my sacred self
that nurtures

that fosters empowerment

but

my inner-dwelling light
does not always shine
so bright

does not always hold sway
nor control
my inner darkness

my inner darkness
has great cunning
powerful influence

it is
at times
quite un-containable

this darkness
that has fed
upon the horror
that has been visited upon me

the betrayal
the abuse
the unthinkable loss

that has compounded
and festered

that has become animate

as if an entity
unto itself

that has gripped
and driven me

distraught
despaired
vengeful
unforgiving

driven me
to a perverse
unholy
bitterness

wholly unable
to fend off
the clutches
of this malevolence

it is
on occasion
far easier

even desirable

to succumb
to these dark forces
that promise
relief

falsely entice
with imagined
satisfaction

but there is
no quick release
from the pain

from the sorrow
that is
an inherent component
of life

one must
endure

and be tempered
invincible
by this endurance

steadfast
in the crucible
of resistance

but

the inner-mounting darkness
will ever seduce

its tug is powerful

I pray
here tonight

as I am swept up
in bittersweet memory
of you

overwhelmed
by the sorrow of loss

I pray
that the darkness
does not sense
that I am vulnerable

does not prey upon
my growing distress
that falls shadow-like
across my soul

that veils
my resolve
my courage

I pray
that the black void
does not birth
the despair

the anger
that begets
my other

my alter

my poison self
that I so detest

…and fear

 

19

 

the blade
that cuts
this
tie
that’s bound

is secured
here
in our grasp

with
righteous rage
and
purposed thrust

foul
contract
will
be severed

and we

lifted
and
untethered

free at last
of
you

vile judas

who
would have us
supplicant
and cowered

brittle shells
devoid
vital juices
of
trust
and opportunity

the
soul-marrow
that
sustains
our
balanced self

spawns
right thinking
and
possibility

nurtures
our unshackled
will

that
fosters
our
innate prowess
to
see through
the likes
of
you

your
lust
for power

your
unchecked greed

see through
your
gross
intolerance

it is upon us
to confine
your shut
and
damaged mind

squelch
your
toxic agenda

and lay bare
the folly
of
your vision

your narrow
festered
point of view

to silence
now
your
twisted tongue

that spews
the
acrid gorge
of
lies

we
will celebrate
this
final cut

raise it up
for
all
to see

and know
its authenticity

that
rejects
your
dark reality

henceforth
mute
to naïve
ears

that
might succumb
to your
seductive rail
of
all-consuming
fear

we
have watched
you
tread upon
a
sacred trust

ill-gotten
in
a feigned
display
of
true choice
and
fair selection

you
have soiled
and sullied
a
time-honored
seat

bruised
and scarred
its
dignity

but

you
are well
soon
set aside

exposed
in your
iniquity

to suffer
the
judgment
of history

this
is the season
of your
end
of days

your reign
of terror
is over