They slip in through the darkness of the night,
Gathering energy to break my walls,
Hiding in shadows, fangs ready to bite,
Prepared to consume me as morning calls.   

Their movements are precise, thoughtful and quick,
Wrapping around me like sharp hawk talons.
They consume me, getting heavy and thick,
Preparing to drain my blood by the gallons. 

The thoughts cackle and grin to break my mind,
Watching the tears streaming down my flushed face.
“You are so slow, you keep falling behind,”  
They say, as if life itself was a race. 

But morning comes and shoves them all away,
Where they fester until the very next day.  

Editor: Shannon Hensley