Restless demons full of fight
Torment me thru endless night
Spirits’ screams are incoherent
Their purpose though is so apparent
Waking hours filled with fear
Distrust to all whom dared to near
Paranoia rears its’ ugly head
Replacing hope with doubt and dread
I did not ask this for my life
To be wounded sharp by pain and strife
But I’d gladly bear the brunt of all
And proudly suffer standing tall
For my life was serving others first
So bring pain on and do your worst
You’ll find though broken I will emerge
With nervous tension on the verge
I’ll bear my scars as best I can
And with honor shining here I stand
Before you now I humbly try
To look you squarely in the eye
To tell you I, though tattered, torn
Will not mock you, will not scorn
I too feel pain, I feel the hurt
From playing in the “sand box” dirt
And gladly do it all again
With pain my partner, fear my friend
To rise each morning with pride and say
I’m here for you, and I’m here to stay

Steven W Bates
Cheyenne, WY