black dog

oh! that i could believe in my own brain

and trust it was not turn’d upon itself

in constant allegorical refrain

entangling my thoughts within themselves.

how long is it that i have found myself

entrappéd in the brambles of a mind

that offers so much life to all its friends

and yet beneath the leaves an adder waits

to strike the unsuspecting innocent

with poisoned words that fast affect the soul?

it is a daily battle for my heart

to overrule the toxins of the bite

and keep the smoky haze from out my eyes.

the early days were long and drawn-out fights

against the columns of well-armored troops

from darkest depths in which my thoughts do hide

until the moment they come charging out.

the wolf that once did linger at my door

and watched the bloodied soldiers coming home

has laid his head upon the hearth and rests

although his wicked eyes dare not to close.

i have played fetch with that black dog and felt

the endless tug of war from deep my soul

that calls the shadows back to shroud my mind

in darkest worry and in starless night,

and still the beast remains close by my side,

though sometimes guides my hand toward better days.

despite its blackened eyes and heavy breaths,

the threads of daylight shine upon its back

and bring to me a hope within the deep

recesses of my soul that beg for light.