presence ever noticeable. his heavy
feet drags upon the floor room after
room after room. hot breath on my neck
as he whispers words that are no longer
new. yet still sting as he digs his finger
into the wounds, splitting apart the cuts
and pressing the bruises. his shadow is
always there. even in the night. they
told me he's not real, but they have not
met him. up to four pills a day to make
him disappear, but he is a relentless
one. i have met a match. he knows
me better than myself and has set
permanent residence in my mind to where
he
just
won't
leave.

i don't have to check under my bed
anymore, because i've seen his face
to familiarity. he escaped from the
darkness and out of the closet.

but what is there to do
when the monster is in you.