Beasts

Like a mountain climber that reaches the peak,
But all he can see is how he messed up the route to get there,
Is the shadow that follows me,
His name is Never Enough.

Like a Olympian that finally steps to the winner's stand,
But can only see the successes of others,
Is the shadow that follows me,
Her name is Discredited.

Like the gardener who spends copious amounts of time plucking the weeds,
But overlooks watering the flowers,
Is the shadow that follows me,
His name is Self-Neglect.

Like a seamstress who finishes a new dress,
But focuses on how the hem isn't exactly straight,
Is the shadow that follows me,
Her name is Perfectionist.

Like an 16 year old boy who dreams of being a Air-force pilot,
But fails his eye exam,
Is the shadow that follows me,
His name is Incapable.

Like a mother with a brand new baby who outwardly smiles,
But battles post-pardum depression,
Is the shadow that follows me,
Her name is Lost Self.

Like the cancer patient who is started on a new line of chemotherapy,
But has already fought his own body for months,
Is the shadow that follows me,
His name is Exhausted.

I dubbed them names to finally see,
The beasts I wage war against daily.
They taunt my mind in the light of the day,
And at night they continue to spitefully play.
They consume awakened heart and sleeping mind.
They suffocate the present and the future time.
Although they're strong, I take my ground,
Keeping friends close, I wield the power of hope,
And I fight for what tomorrow might hold.


Author's note:
 This poem expresses a very difficult time in my life, but does not define where I am now because I got the help I needed. If you find yourself relating to this poem, please talk to someone you know will listen and take you seriously. These issues and feelings are too consuming and destructive to leave unchecked. They will destroy you and lead you to a very dark place if you do not fight back and get help. Please talk to someone today.