I Will Not Succumb
(The Man On My Shoulder)

never ending nights meld into
sea-sickening days
and i am ever adrift
alone, with only you
little demon man
shade of nightmares
and keeper of the chains

i chant my litany
meaningless affirmation
of my guilt
fear and weakness
'i will not'
(i will)
'i will never'
(i always will)

riding tides of froth
incidental losses
seaweed wrapped bodies
washed adrift upon
reflective mica strewn beaches
dead lips whispering
in my left ear

i chant my litany
soulless negation
nightshade laced
fermented bile
'i will not'
(i did)
'i will never'
(i always do)