I rise from my sleep and
Check the clock by the bedside
It’s twenty minutes past
Midnight

I wipe the sweat off my
Forehead and try to
Control my heavy
Breathing

I approach the mirror
Illuminated miserly by
The penetrating, silver
Moonlight

I do not see my reflection
Instead it is a pitch-dark
Silhouette staring back at me
Unnervingly

I watch it grow steadily
Continually; till the mirror
Could no longer hold it
Prisoner

The silhouette curves its back
To avoid hitting the ceiling
It beckons me to come
Closer

I stand there stunned, amazed
Confused; like a child in the
Vicinity of a massive, black
Tree

It beckons me again and again
Hesitatingly I move towards it
Its dark tail wagging with
Fervour

It wraps its arms around me
In a comforting embrace and
Then lifts me up to its lightless
Face

Its mouth opens and I can see
The universe dancing inside
With a swift movement I am
Swallowed

I land on a soft bed and
Check the clock floating overhead
It’s fifteen minutes past
Midnight

I tried humour first
Tried laughing it off
Only to hear my echo
Return with a penetrating force

I tried talking about it
Only to realise I didn’t have enough words to say
I checked online
Others were caught in the same conundrum
Everybody wanted to share
But nobody had the vocabulary

I tried sad songs and movies
I sat with her and flipped
Through tunes and scenes
To get a sense of what others are going through
Mistake number one
She understood that it was the norm
To overstay your welcome
And live rent-free in your host’s overflowing heart

I tried isolation next
Locked her in a dark room
Left her to starve
I was sure she’d stop annoying me
I was wrong
She didn’t cease her misbehaviour
It only made her worse
It made her stronger
Mistake number two

I tried ignoring her
Tried giving her no attention
Only to realise I
Needed her as much
As she needed me
Or perhaps more
Strike three

I’ve given up
I’ve no hope in me
I must embrace it
Let my life revolve around it
Place my bricks around it
And build myself a refuge
If I can