The Darkness

The Darkness

It has always been there
Always waiting
With the patience
Of any predator.
Most often it is only
A glimpse -
Out of the corner of my eye,
A shapeless form
Absorbing light.

But there are times
When I am weary
With pain of body and soul,
That it comes out.
Its broad shape draining
Color and light
Blinding my inner eye,
Losing place,
Losing time,
Losing shape,
Losing hope.

The darkness clings
And drags me downward,
Clutching with unseen
Claws of icy blackness
Adding pain to the attack.
Shaky, weary and battered
I fight my way
Toward the light.

At last free,
To stand
Wounded but victorious.
But the darkness
It is not beaten
It has only withdrawn
And waits -
It has always been there,
Always waiting.

37 lines
3 March 2011