Together we are walking down the street,
All smiles, calm, warmth, our rhythmic feet.
When a creeping doubt starts to form, undue:
Who is she to you? Are you true?
With that smallest of openings, they flood -
(Our feet now a background, dull thud)
The images, words, memories, questions;
An invasion; an infection.
Unbidden, unwelcome, they multiply -
Hot, red, liquid cells broil inside,
Burning and scratching - a jail is my skin,
My traitorous mind brews within.
Alone I’m fighting; that’s how it must be -
These battles were all caused by me.
The only cures I know are love and time,
Knowing your heart’ll never be mine.
