Taps Poem by Wayne McCullough

He growls, stirring in the dark, warning that he is still there.
I am aware, I do not wish to face him so I turn from his stare.
I have fought him for years, upon years, upon years.
The battlefield between us is like blackened earth, stained with destruction and tears.

I am covered in soot, mud, and debris.
I can barely move, I can barely see.
Every time I begin to hope, there he is growling at me.
I give up, I give in, you win demon, you win.

I have no desire to fight you, my energy is spent.
My sword is broken, my shield is bent.
I have taken one blow to many, my flesh is rent.
I lay here dying, barely hanging on.

I can barely breath, my blood runs free.
I watch it leave, running out of me.
I watch that demon smile, A big toothy grin.
He knows he has killed me, he knows he wins.