Among the Darkness

by Alexis Ouchakov

When staring at the ceiling in a haze
A roaring noise in darkness kept away
The strength in light I always woke in days
As blood was pumping, consciousness would sway.

And flash by flash the noise grew just as loud
As trains bombarding tracks with crippled screams
And crash by crash the screech grew just as proud
As raiders’ news of war done like in dreams

I mustered up my strength and stared ahead
I filled my lungs with air and bravery fast
Then squared my shoulders, mind all full of dread
Then screamed to terrify the monster last

A whimper left the dark and struck my soul
A dog then ran; I sighed, since reached my goal