It sets in gently at first,
A feeling I could only recall in pieces,
A sickly stomach,
My heart throbbing in my limbs,
Sounds shackled within my throat,
Shadows of nights spent sleepless,
And gloomy days spent alone.
I thought this monster had been slain,
I’d hung up my weapons,
Let down my guard,
And said cheers to absent victories.
As long forgotten demons tend to do,
An ugly head appeared,
And with an irresistibly devastating glare,
I fondled desperately,
Clutching at my heart,
And armour of bone and sinew,
As I realised it had only just begun.