there is something quietly crawling
its way up the back of my neck.
something clawing and scratching at me
something I cannot see.
it’s back there, though I can feel it
some demon~like shadowed thing.
I’m not sure if I am afraid of it yet
it’s not clear enough to name.
it quietly walks around
tapping on parts of my soul.
trying to find a way in
an opening somewhere in me.
there aren’t many places left in me
where anyone can get in.
especially not some entity
who does not have a name.
there was a time not long ago
where I left the doors open wide.
any and all were welcome
to come and stay any length of time.
the day I came home to an empty house
the walls and cupboards stripped bare.
was the day the door closed tightly
and the locks and chains put in place.
so now there is something following me
sitting in corners in wait.
some thing, some feeling I cannot describe
anticipating what?
those doors are not flying open again
the shutters have locks on them too.
there are keys but they are hard to find
and that search will take a long time.
I know where they are but I’ll never tell
those questions are all up to you.
that being that sits on my shoulder
has never said a word.
