What Waits In Shadow Poem by Johnny Ringo

At the end of light in the greying fetid shadows of decay,
well into death, beyond release, the desperation of our last day,
there sits a dread council, there sits a jury of shadows,
and what waits for you in shadows, think on the things you've done.

Who will forgive you the sins you cannot forgive yourself, some son?
Not then likely after the deeds are done, and will the shadows say
you're not nearly mired enough in shame, and not nearly enough broken,
now a reckoning is needed, recompense, punishment, a mighty token.

Think upon the demons that live in between the closings or our eyes,
that advance with our blinking, each one closer, staccato terror rhythm.
Their swords will hurt, their spears will burn, their arrows will pierce to the center of sins in souls.
Will you plead mercy, self-pity in your cries?

I know what waits for me in that deep, in the swells and currents,
in the places that only an uncomfortable nervous feeling knows exist.
Hounds that will rend, tear the flesh from my deviant soul,
a devouring demon, a mocking demon, a thousand fiery fists. A judge,

and a judgement day, a punishment, a punishment never to relent.
I accept my fate and will willingly go, though not so willingly yet,
to the prison, dungeon, chambers of chains, pitiless pit, yawning hole.
I must still build my mighty tower of sin in life to complet this set,

forging the chains and feeding their case against me, the shadows know,
then with abandon will I go, to the dread that waits in shadow.