a second life

I saw tiny phantoms crawl down the right side of my face
they were pale and toothless, naked
but they clawed their way down
those little savage forbears of decay

crooked windows emerged from a foggy haze
it felt like microscopic crows had crept up into my feet
on the corner of that desolate urban maze
up through the perforated earthen dead-ends beneath
the ravenous swarm ascended and met those hideous savages halfway

in my chest I felt the pain
my sentimental burdens withered in shame
like toothless words that have no soul
or life
they went, but I know they always come back some day

a merciless chill ran down my spine
and gathered force with every step and every insurmountable incline
the streets became too long, the stairs too steep to climb
I felt I had finally lost my way
I had finally run out of time

I closed my eyes and I took a deep breath,
and I let my thoughts wander and my mind float astray
the wind felt gentle on my skin, the cold was a palpable presence
it even felt like kin
a faint light tried to seep through
and then I felt the rain set in...

and behold, I was regained

the enemy within retreated
the specters all fled away
It was as if something
had come to my rescue that day

when I opened my eyes
I realized
there are things far, far more important than me
and I never felt lonely again