It grips me

It grips me Clenches me in its fist White-knuckled, bearing down Squeezing the marrow from my bones It clasps me Grabs at my heart, fingers digging in Bound so tight I might burst It holds me Sets its strength against my lungs Constricting tighter with every breath It claims me Settles on my soul, weighs me down Saps every last drop of peace It leaves me Alone, broken Battered and bruised Trembling at the thought of its return I know it will call upon me again My torment has not met its end My strength is nearly spent But my hope lives A tiny flicker straining against the dark I yearn for it to flare anew Someday