The daily grind

It creeps up

Sapping strength leeching warmth

Rolling from scalp to toes

A rank clammy feeling

Knotting stomach

Almost painful passing the bowels

An ebb and flow that consumes

Incapacitating body and mind for minutes at a time

Feeling like hours

It creeps up and smacks down hard

Making my mind whirl and twist

Playing out fantasy and fear

Bringing forth futile thoughts and opening that black place

Crumbling edges under my feet

Dropping me down

Down to the place were sleep is hard to find

Yet unable and unwilling to wake

That black place where staying asleep seems desirable

Never to wake

Never to wake