Freedom

Will I cower by the fire

that shines into the night?

Or venture into the darkness

and look my fear in the eyes?

If I just give up,

If I just give in,

If I just lay down and cry,

I'll become the living dead,

living but not alive.

An empty, hollow shell of life,

A place no hope resides

If I fight, there is small hope

There's no hope if I choose to die.

We stalk together

in the endless night,

My ever-present enemy.

heart-racing, gasping, chilling fright,

It smirks and shadows me.

And yet I'll fight my fright to be free.