ODE TO GUILT

Your melancholy song in my head
And on my soul, Of things
once said and truth untold;
Mournful tunes upon my breast
Haunt my waking day and nightly rest.

Since my youth, you’ve suckled me
Held me close, vampirically;
My dark sun!  Old friend of none!
Mother of my sorrow–
You nurture the dusk of tomorrow.

Oh Guilt! Dark pleasure!
Black candle in the joy of life;
Your dark light runs thru my veins.
Dear friend, only you remain;
On the coldest days, the warmth you feign.

How close you hold my secret pain!

Constant are you who stay with me
And hold those bonds
That keep me from free;
Heavy shadow on my steps,
In your darkness, I reflect.

Longtime friend, your roots run deep
In your branches my secrets keep
In your leaves, my sorrow flows
In your bark my darkness grows
Trapped inside you, is my soul.