The War Within Poem by Paula Glynn

I fight myself daily
I curse my good fortune
I lie to myself
I abuse my own needs
And push loved ones away
I see a strange trick of the light
And a trick of my confused mind
And I see my blood
Make others unkind

Where to find the truth
So I am never again blind
I should look within
Tackle the enemy within
To undo where I've been
All the sorrow I have seen

I keep bleeding
And wonder when
It will stop
When I will be free
Evil tales to be told
My pain their gain
For I lost my power
And lost the game of life

Memories of times
Because of war within
I remember those
Hard times of turmoil
Where I betrayed myself
And only ever myself

I lost love and money
I lost adoration
But that adoration is cheap
Real success and happiness
Comes from my soul

Whence came the war within
A battle fought
For all souls
In all minds wanting more
But following the rules
Put upon us all
My back to the wall

Like all wars waged in history
The soldiers and captains
Wielding their guns
Swords and other weapons
Civilians to be injured
And any war waged inside
Leave me brutally bruised
Knowing the real war is inside
My heart beating with a nugget of gold
My life story to be told

But before I fight them
I must fight myself
My own inner demon
And wage war inside
Where I learn real pride
Like a soldier protecting
Their integrity and confidence.