There’s a darkness deep inside me
Someone hurt, someone scared
She couldn’t listen, wouldn’t quietly be
In pain she raged, her teeth all bared

I couldn’t take it; her cries were too loud
So with a grin I dragged her away
Became a deception both toxic and proud
I drowned you completely, so I thought anyway

I believed you were dead so bravely I acted
Busied my hands when emptiness consumed me
I was an interchangeable mask, tranquility pretended
As a numbing veil shrouded my senses, darkness all I could see

Inexplicably, dear shadow, you’re still here
By stifling your needs, my shame grew worse
Because your pain is mine, along with your nagging fear
My cross to bear, my lonely curse

Thus I turn to you, my dark old self
Unbound your hands, embraced you in tears
So we can dust bitter sorrows from off the shelf
And by mourning our losses together we can face our fears