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
About the Creator
Randy Baker
Poet, author, essayist.
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A Bridge Among the Flowers
To my dear and beautiful granddaughter, I've needed to write this letter to you for a long time now. I just didn't have the words. I'm not sure if I even do now. But this is my feeble attempt. Forgive me if I don't use the proper pronoun or gender when I am referring to the "you" that I know and love. I'm new at this and still very confused in my "Boomer-ness." I think you already know that I am having a difficult time wrapping my head around these concepts. But it doesn't minimize my love and adoration for you.
By Shirley Belk6 days ago in Pride
Comments (6)
Loved it! Well done!
Very much describes that dreaded beast. Well worded RB. Kind of sounds like mine that I just posted. Great minds.
Super powerful, I really enjoyed this one. The final two lines feel almost triumphant as you ask for the strength to slay the monster.
👏👏👏 That was awesome! And that last line in itself speaks volumes. Nice entry! Thanks for sharing!
Very creative!! I enjoyed this set of poems! 💓💖❤👍
Wow, Randy, that is some powerful imagery and hauntingly beautiful lines. Our past can haunt us with a vengeance. You captured this brilliantly. I have read several Inverse poems lately, and so I was curious how your poem would read in reverse. It works! Incredibly well done!