Thick Black Tarp

Darkness covers me,

suffocating me like a thick black tarp.

I gasp for air

as the darkness collapses in —

crushing me,

leaving me paralyzed and helpless.

My mind,

inhabited with a sickness.

I try to claw out, but I claw

at my own flesh.

All a blur,

I am taken over.

I am not myself, nor am I fully

conscious or aware.

I am not here,

I have checked out —

(not on my own).

I have surrendered

to the darkness.

With no control,

I fight in strife as it swallows me

whole —

and grows in strength.