i wake up in the morning, & it crawls on top of me.

i'd shake it off if i could.

or leave it to warm me.

in the shower sometimes i scrub so hard i bleed,

but it doesn't go away.

it's my shadow that follows me through the day.

most of the time, it's my best friend & i'm so glad it's there.

other times, i scream at the top of my lungs

as to why it's there & what it wants from me.

it's a beast that i want to tame.

but it's a beast & beasts don't tame easy.

why am i here?

why now?

what the heck is going on?

i'd love so much to see you for the first time.

i believe our lives would overwhelm us.

our bloody knees will stick together.

we'll never wonder/wander again

& we'll never have a question in our minds.

the beast sleeps & whispers answers in his dreams.

this is why i'm here.

this is why it won't go away.

i believe.

i believe.

i believe.

rain & thunder will come.

wind will tear at the roof.

lightning will do it's best but i will stand.

this house has a hope.

far from the surface of man

& far from the reaches of the storm.

do your worst.

watch yourself.

be of sound mind.

look into the depths.