War Against Myself

She crouches, prepared to pounce, Scrutinizing every subtle move. She waits until my guard is down, When I’m unexpecting and weak. One foul word and she joins the game. She wrestles with my self-control. She beats down my will and my strength. She overpowers my sanity. “No,” I speak up, calm, cool, and collected. “I will not allow you to taint my soul.” And so, I fight back with brutal force. I declare war with her, war against myself. We each bore new wounds every day. She was good, but I was better. She slept with one eye open, Yet I never slept a wink. Though battle has long subsided, I do not dare turn my back. I can feel her, waiting there, Ever-ready to destroy me.