(a)Wake In The Night
Josiah Derby
Is it all simply just a brief fluttering of the mind?
A shadowy coven dancing in a moonlit sliver
Death’s breath washed over me, enshrined,
in the darkest recesses most find unkind
if not paralyzed, my form would quiver
is it all simply just a brief fluttering of the mind?
Amassing a shadowy figure not quite clearly defined
with a voiceless message it was content to deliver:
Death’s breath. Washed over me enshrined
in still screaming lungs which frozen ribs confined;
the entity, known to some as “taker” to others “giver”,
is it all simply just a brief fluttering of the mind?
As it creeps closer, staring at me, I am resigned
to sink involuntarily into that terrifying river
Death’s breath. Washed over me. Enshrined.
I slam shut my eyes, as if the creature can’t take the blind.
Moments pass, ribs relax, the toxin of fear broken down in my liver.
Is it all simply just a brief fluttering of the mind?
Death’s breath washed over me. Enshri–
Since birth Josiah has been exposed to a life surrounded by violence and trauma. These experiences he finds most interesting to explore. In his writing he seeks to better understand himself and hopes his writing will connect with readers and let anyone struggling with life know that they aren’t alone.