Unwelcome Visitor

The shadow of doubt returns, sits on his back a heavy gargoyle with long talons his heart; worn out, enlarged beats weakly, head, eyes downcast a response to others’ anxieties, demands, frustration he tries to rise, move, then he stumbles to the side hears the wings of the great beast flap wildly, a few seconds, then rancid breath which goes in through his nostrils coats his tongue, comes out his own mouth to ward off anyone who might want to aide him Is it as simple as forgetting a pill? Or has the weighted curtain fallen down over beleaguered eyes? He moves through the hall pain where the claws dig in, sun filtered light at the end, just a few more steps.