Shadows Over Self-Fulfillment Poem by Raj Dronamraju

Rumors of war in the not too distant future
Self-conscious activity occurs under ominous, impending threat
Distracted by her wavering interest
And cuddled unsuccessfully with a malnourished reassurance

I could never be bothered with conflict
Or answering every slur or slight
I won't mobilize from a standing peace of mind
I'll erase a tightly controlled border from existence
Hysterical vistas will be made extinct

Then we've got a problem
It is that confrontation cures the crusader
Brings him down from bloodlust, from adrenalin violence
Could he then vanish into a life devoid of anything remarkable?
One of the flow of people driving to work at anonymous jobs

Shadows over oneself feeling good about oneself
Self-doubt is the swift eclipse
It blots out all that is lived under and in hope
And brings with it a horde of small, yapping demons

Yapping demons like a cycle of failure
Yapping demons pulling your hair, yelling in your ear
Making the smallest acts uncomfortable
Placing restraints on your level of self-confidence