Battle of the Mind

I walked into the house one night

Examining each dismal sight,

And riffling right and looking left,

I found the mansion all bereft:

For it could feel the loss as well.

And seeing death my heart went still.

The wound was deep; how long to heal?

And wondered I: Could the house feel

The searing pain of loved ones lost

That chilled the heart like winter’s frost,

The emptiness of love-moved-on,

Knowing my friends were not long gone?

The portraits stared with pleading eye,

Imploring me to come and die;

Their desp’rate voices I could hear;

Their crimson blood did call me near.

Unable now to cope with loss,

To end this now, I’d pay the cost.

The knife lay there upon the floor,

Its bloodlust always wanting more.

And picking up the blade I knew

My friend was gone; soon I’d be too.

And as the blade sunk through my chest

I said, “So long” – my final breath.

I had imagined rest would come,

But knew I not there would be none.

My tortured soul could find no peace;

Oh, how could I ask life to cease?

I suffer now more than before.

Is there a way to live once more?