It Lurks in Shadows

Beneath my bed, in shadows deep it lies,

the beast, unseen, breathes whispers of the past.

With its creeping tendrils it comes and tries

to rob my peace of mind, which never lasts.

*

Clawing at my dreams in the dead of night,

where echoes of my war-torn soul reside.

With each creak and moan, I put up a fight,

but like a parasite it bores inside

*

The specter cloaks me in its wretched shroud,

sowing poison thoughts that I can’t forget.

It cuts and stabs until I scream aloud.

I choke, I gasp, in a feverish sweat.

*

To slay this demon is my greatest task.

Each night I pray, and strength is all I ask.

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Written for RM Stockton's Writing Challenge