[HESTLA'S HONEY]

I sense snapping jaws
of weighted darkness
trying, relentlessly,
to devour the essence
of my fatigued soul.

Its wretched arms
squeeze, tightly, around
my weakened body,
desiring to gasp
my last breath from me.

I twist and try to run
but fall deeper into
its greedy pits
and further sink
into the belly of
its entrapment.

Its hands are cold
and thieving. It longs
to possesss the whole
of who I am. It craves
all I have ever been.

It scratches and claws,
tying to pull me under
where it can steal
my precious life.

I'm almost smothering.
I strain to recall
how to turn the key
that will set my soul free.

I struggle within
to find some part
of me which will
loosen this vise
encasing me.

I push against
its will and might
and break through
the darkness
before me
and embrace
the glorious light
waitng on the other side.


©2003 L.A.