tazmanian devil-like

they pole-vault 

onto my shoulders

they scream

loudly into

my ears

i feed them

morsels of

my self-doubt

encourage them

to grow bigger

(like me)

they leave

me

haunted

in the shadows

while they

regurgitate

the best of me…

and, i listen..

they feed me

addictive morsels

that change me

i nod, accepting

without question

their demands of me..

and i concede..

 intently, i accept

 the screams

their nonsensical lyrics

shatter my eardrums

daily reminders

how much pain

there is to

kill

or calm..

as long as

i keep them

alive

they will

continue

to keep me

down

guaranteed…