I Staved Off The Howling Beast

I staved off
the Howling Beast,
who clawed, and bit,
and gnashed his teeth.

I reached for Light,
and Hope, and Right,
and watched it fall
out of my sight.

I fought for breath
and beat my breast,
and begged, on knees,
and knew no rest.

It tore my soul
and ripped my heart,
and pulled, and cut
my life apart.

And then, the end,
the darkness came.
I knew it was
the end to my pain.