I stand as a testament to the

Darkness that lives within us all,

The walker of hidden roads and

Deserted streets that lead to

Forgotten places beneath

Unknown skies.

The endless voids between the

Stars…you can find me there as

You lay sleepless in troubled beds

Listening to my soulless voice

As it speaks in the lost echoes

Of a child’s heedless cries.

And when sleep finally claims you as

The clock winds down towards dawn,

I stand waiting in all that darkness

That lies beyond your blue-tinged lids

Like a fever of broken promises that

Should never have been made.

I watch as you stumble through them

One by one and step by clumsy step,

Me right behind you like a midnight

Phone call bearing bad news and I

Leer with satisfaction because I know

You’re afraid.

So take heed when you arise once more

To face this cold November day,

And quicken your pace as make

Your front door and into the light of the

Silver dollar sun because when you see your

Shadow trailing long in the early morning air…

Always know…

I could yet be there.

END

“Madness”