I lie in bed, awake at night,

Broken pieces fall onto the sheets.

Tears streaming, voices screaming,

Taunts and threats of unspeakable acts.

I lie in bed, awake at night,

Words like worthless in my head,

Piercing words cut oh so deep,

Bleeding in my mind in silence.

I lie in bed, awake at night,

Feeling like I’m drowning.

Strong, dark tendrils suffocate my body,

Pulling me into the black abyss.

I lie in bed, awake at night,

Clawing my way out of my own mind,

Each time I fall a little further,

Fearful that I won’t be able to return to the surface again.

I lie in bed, awake at night,

A voice like a lion roar awakens me,

Telling me that I am worth it.

Something inside begins to fight.

I lie in bed, awake at night,

A wounded warrior, an empath.

My purpose is to heal, but not myself.

Tonight I take up arms for me.

I lie in bed, awake at night,

My battle is over for now.

I return to sleep, a welcoming warmth,

Awaiting the return of my demons.