Scary Tunnel

The tunnel is long and musty with water dripping from the wall Into murky puddles where pavement is slippery and easy to fall It is cold and empty with a lingering stench in thick, heavy, air The dark figure follows me, bearing down, with a penetrating stare I move with persistent strength and courage toward the light The figure is fear that can catch me, consume my being with fright So I have an inner shield to ward it off, refusing to let it be near It is scary, relentless, ugly, fast moving, demonizing fear It serves no purpose, only a warning to destroy what it clenches To keep me lost in the depth of its known hidden trenches Waiting to paralyze those who give in, as it preys on weakness it sees The light shines ahead, as I focus only on reaching it, where it frees Where I have faith as I exit, I will be out of one of the darkest places Knowing, I overcame the luring force, in a tunnel with scary faces Heidi Sands 9/26/18