sharp faces in the dark
whispering, laughing
shadowy fates nearing
a voice I can’t hear
calling
and yet I know it’s there
hungry for my soul tonight
the raspy tones of madness bleeding
into my room

hurried steps rushing
while my mind is bending
twisted, tangled, terrified

where are the corners of this room?
I stand ready
but the panic in my heart is beating me to death
and the shades are down
and my hands are up
white knuckled fists blazing
wide open eyes reaching
legs steady
pulse racing
sweat tumbling down my face
in an avalanche ballet of hopelessness
each glistening drop dances adagio
and time stands still as I wait for
for the tap-dance of demon feet
their shrilling words slashing through me
their cackling taunts haunting me

and I am shaken
to see this room is shaking
now tumbling through the depths of an abyss
my wild arms flailing
nothing to hold onto
legs kicking
head swimming
eyes empty
ears screaming
knees buckling
hands slapping earth
face caked in death
lungs burning
mouth shrieking…
because when my demons come for me
they never leave without a party favor
and it seems that lately very little favors me