The Visitor

As the Sun spoke its goodbyes

and the night overtook the skies,

I found myself alone.

Into peaceful slumber others had flown.

All laid their heads down in restful contentment;

life had offered them all in its banquet.

From my direction, it turned a taciturn head.

I knew not why I inspired such dread.

Once more, mine was isolation.

Where had fled my prior elation?

Ah, the truth arrives and gone is the fog.

Never have I moved from one bog.

I pondered this as I sat in deep contemplation.

The room offered its silence in retaliation.

The hours passed, and I remained seated.

My dreams of acceptance had been superseded.

A voice rang out with great clarity.

As always, I responded with hilarity,

for the voice suggested I leave in place

of my sorrow that which bore a face.

The face was mine in whole,

but what was inside, some gave a skull.

What ventured inside, hardly bore said diction.

Its lack of form stirred quite the contradiction.

This visitor arrived hardly pronounced.

Nonetheless, its presence was announced.

In response, I bore no surprise.

My greeting entailed hardly a rise.

We had met many a time before.

It came from within, but we spoke all the more.

What we discussed was always the same.

To entice had always been its game.

"Once again, you are all by yourself.

Will they ever take you off of your shelf?

Come away from this recurring sedation.

What I offer is beyond imagination."

The visitor spoke with such sweet seduction.

My will, as it was, still felt no reduction.

"My hunger comes to mind first.

Will there be food, and drink for my thirst?"

"What I offer is better than any meal.

The satisfaction found here is simply not real.

As for your thirst, consider it quenched.

These living joys keep you entrenched."

Ever so slightly, I bent to its will.

Then, there came an uncomfortable chill.

In the cold of the room, I reached for a sheet.

A thought occurred, I felt almost a cheat.

"Your present argument can hardly be beat,

but they say you are cold and perhaps you bring heat.

What comforts are offered beyond this great veil?

I increasingly fear against this world it shall pale."

"My child, these are living fears you proclaim.

Against you, I play no misleading game.

I stand before you a most honest friend,

though there are those who call me the end."

This visitor had nearly won me now.

Great things it promised to endow.

However, a great matter kept me from deciding.

Against a final plea rested my tiding.

"I have family and friends.

This alone merits alternative ends.

Dare I to think I am loved by another?

To someone, am I worth more than the other?"

Surely, I thought, this world had won the battle.

The voice within would merely sway and rattle.

With barely any hesitation,

the visitor replied with typical protestation.

"This world is beautiful, this is true.

It is meant for them, but not for you.

There are those who love you, as they love their arm.

We need not be enemies; I mean you no harm."

Within me, there appeared then no more doubt.

I accepted its offer for a way out.

It then assumed a tangible manifestation,

having informed me of every ramification.

As true friends, we embraced.

It seemed to the sky we raced.

For this, I need not atone.

At long last, I'm not truly alone.