Voices

Voices


Voices in the cave of my mind,
Screeching bats diving in darkness.
Sometimes I can understand them,
Sometimes I even subdue them.
Mostly, I am at their mercy.

Who controls these horrid voices?
Why do they say such nasty things?
Who is the listener who cowers
In the corner hoping, praying
for serenity, blissful peace?

I seek comfort and quietude
but, I am constantly hounded,
paralyzed with fear and loathing.
Unworthy, afraid of being found out;
afraid that what they say is true.

Is this madness? insanity?
Will I someday erupt uncontrollably,
drooling, babbling incoherently?
Is it in my future to be taken away
for the protection of myself and others?

Still my mind, live in the moment,
leave the self-incriminations,
ignore mystery of the future,
refrain from making assumptions,
stop taking things personally.

This the first step of a journey
fraught with many pitfalls, sidetracks,
setbacks, yet is necessary.
Past has gone, future a mystery,
now is all I have to work with.

Note: This poem was written for the Images in Ink Poetry Contest.