As Darkness Falls

As darkness falls without, it also falls within; where listless slumber slowly takes me by the hand, leads me to a place where I relive every sin while Lilith does foretell what fate for me is planned. The darkness not yet deep enough for me to drown the fading light not bright enough to shine the way; I fear the rabid laughing of the coming clown as he performs his ghastly, nightly cabaret. Old Harlequin will dance and whisper in my ear and tell of all dark things that lurk within my soul; for these, not those without, he knows, are what we fear. Come here, my dear, abide with me, he will cajole. Then, as he ventures forth to give his foul-breathed kiss, unkindness host of ravens swoop, take out my eyes; then, slowly I dissolve to silence, darkness, bliss; another night, I have denied the devil's prize.