It once was small
Timid and afraid
But it was there.
Each passing day
It seemed to grow ever so slightly
Until it was spoken to.
Then it ignited
And twisted into something bigger
Until it echoed through my veins.
Some would speak to it
Entice it to free itself from the cage
I tried desperately to contain it to.
I broke the locks
And let it claw it's way through me
Until I was completely devoured.
Over the years
I tried soothing it once more
Thinking I could reverse the damage.
My aching bones protested
With every plea I made
But I wouldn't give in again.
I took that roiling darkness
And balled it up so tightly in my fists
It thrashed and threatened to detonate.
The tethers had snapped
Fog had started to clear
Pieces of me began to return.
I can still feel it
Itching at my skin
But only a shadow of what it once was.
Because I will not let it consume me.














