A Letter to My Demons

Dear demons,

I have given you a home,

From season to season,

I’ve offered you freedom to roam.

*

You shy away from the light,

Bask only in darkest shadows,

Ever-growing in might,

Marching me towards the gallows.

*

I have fed your hunger,

Let you devour my sorrow,

Stealing my happiness as plunder,

Taking away my tomorrow.

*

The angel is here,

She’s always held me close,

Wiping away every single tear,

Even when I hurt her the most.

*

She is everything to me

Filling my soul with life,

You twist my gaze so you can see,

Forcing me to wield the knife.

*

You dig your claws deep,

Your screeches echo all around,

My heart breaks as the angel weeps,

Our ship has run aground.

*

I see familiar faces,

Reflected in your eyes,

Mother, father, empty spaces,

Trauma in disguise.

*

So go now, and do not return,

I will become the person she desires

This dark past I will burn,

Taking only my lessons from the fires.

*

This promise I make,

To her and to thee,

Goodbye my demons,

Sincerely, me.