A Means of Existing

It comes to me in my dreams

Invades my waking hours

Cripples my heart – my soul 

Preventing warmth and love

Extinguishing all light

Cold comfort is mine

Wrapped in darkness –

Draped in pain

Self-enforced isolation

Withdrawal, a way of existence

Hope subsides, hidden, shadowed

Shame becomes comfort

Engulfing, closeting, protecting

To rest, to sleep, to die

A soul saving end to

A bleak existence