This Thing Within Poem by bob barci

I used to know you
I used to love you,
but this thing within
has turned me away.
Our times were good,
filled with laughter and joy.
We owned the sun, the sky, and the earth.
I still say
it was that day
we ran and ran in the mountain valley
that this thing within came to me.
You say I changed after that.
Maybe I have.
I don't know.

The sky is black
and the sun is cold.
The cold soothes me.
You are strange now.
Why are you here?
Why do you stay?
When I anger
the sun's coldness
and the hot liquids
soothe me.
Stay away, for I'll not take pleasure in what I do.
I see the way of this thing within.
You may stay,
but I'll return
to the coolness of
the orange waters,
and the coolness of
the glowing rocks.

WHAT! ? You love me you say?
That's ridiculous!
But wait!
Don't turn away.
Something is wrong within.
This thing within
can not handle love.
Your love has given me the strength I need
to rid myself of
this thing within.

I turn inward,
there you are
this thing within -
LEAVE ME! !
LEAVE ME! !