This poem was in a way inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart.

I tell you now – I am not mad.
Perhaps confused, or ill contempt.
But I feel it necessary to make it clear,
My feelings on such an unsettling matter.

They say it’s a man,
But their words cannot be trusted.
I have seen past its darkened gaze;
Such a gaze no man could have.
A gaze so cold, so piercing, so deep…
A gaze that tears your soul from your flesh…

No man, no man could have such a gaze -
Such a gaze could only be acquired through unholy consent.
Any man whose eyes meet such a horrific sight
Are sure to be troubled through the night;
For your soul, with each gaze, grows more unstill.
Each time growing closer to unjust expulsion.

No man, I say, could push thee,
so far away from reality.
And they call me mad for thinking so -
I say it is they who are mad!
Cursed with blindness; unable to see!
Oh if only they could see…

These are not the words of a madman!
These are the words of a truth…
A truth on which a head must lay!
Into the night I stray, the darkness must pay!

And if only you could have seen…
Oh with such stealth did I strike.
Covered by the night, no chance to fight.
Into his den I stray, and cast that evil spirit away.
Oh my deed has been done; the battle won.
Never again shall I meet such a darkened gaze.

But wait! Once again…I feel the cold stare upon me.
But how! There is nothing around!
Could it be he has come to haunt me? Come to take away my glory?
Such a victory so sweet must live forever,
My time can not be lessened!
Away I say! Be gone! Be gone!

So I ran, so skillfully I ran;
My movement as swift and precise as my blade that evening.
He hadn’t cried out for his life, though I wish he had.
Perhaps then I would be able to recognize his torrent cry.
It is unlike any other mans, disguised by the wind.
But I knew…I could hear him.
My ears were trained, as was my sight.
My sight did guide me into the night,
Now I trust my hearing to guide me out.
My senses are keen – like that of a fox.
I mean not to brag, though I possess such a right.

To home I have come, the spirit I’ve lost.
Relief flushed over me as I began to breathe.
It may sound mad, but my pulse had no beat,
Until the deed had been done.

I began to return to my quarters,
When past a mirror I had walked.
Horror consumed me, such an unspeakable terror.
The darkness had taken root within me,
Passing from that battered vessel to mine.
Why could it have not chosen another!
Why must it choose the one who hates it so!
The only one able to grasp its evil glare…

No, I will not allow it.
I must finish the deed.
Be gone foul fiend!
With me you shall dream!