Claws of Despair

Insidious tendrils 
of dark thoughts 
twist themselves 
around the mind 
choking the joy 
out of the day

Stealthily they creep 
through the veins 
siphoning the hope 
out of blood 
sucking the heart 
into their dark embrace 
dousing faith's glow

Limply the days fall 
into the abyss                        
happiness gasps 
for breath 
in despair's acid fog 
feet grow roots 
in melancholic mire 
unable to step 
towards the light 
an unending struggle 
doomed to fail

Toxic tentacles 
strengthen their grip 
pulling me down 
beneath the inky blackness 
into which I go willingly

 © 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved