DARK MOON MAN

However fast I run away he keeps up with me

so I look elsewhere but stumble over his shoe

I lie still, covering my eyes, but here is his silhouette again

with long shadowy fingers groping for my heart

My creepy nemesis haunts every hiding place

averse to negotiation or divorce

fiercely devoted to my undoing

a hungry spectre looming day and night

Today I have resolved to take a stand

I won’t flinch from that ghastly face

but will turn toward him and hold his gaze

perhaps this could shame him into backing off

Our eyes connect and I shiver, hands trembling

What is this festering malice? I see obsession

a desperate desire to exorcise a nightmare

by vomiting it all over another living being

There is something oddly familiar about that tortured gaze

I remember my great grandfather, my grandmother, my parents

and then notice one resemblance I wish I could deny

Am I staring at my own reflection?

The mirrored expression mutates

a furrowed frown dissolves into puzzlement

as emotions blur my vision I sense deep remorse

with a softening of eyes blinking back tears

I step toward him, arms opening

to embrace

the dark side

of my moon -------------------------------------------------------------------

This poem describes trauma, and the need to welcome home our exiled parts.