Author's Note: I just began a creative writing class earlier this week. To my great horror, I am told the first half of the entire semester will be focused on poetry; I haven't written a poem since elementary school. That was around ten years ago now. Yet lo and behold, in just a few days, my creative sparks have fueled my rage, turned my fear to words, and my pen flow. Please be kind, as this is my first real attempt at a poem with personal meaning in my entire life. And please give me feedback and criticism, as this was only just written and is still a first draft. I have no experience with poetry - have never once sat with a book of poems. Thanks for reading!

- Kagennotsuki

I wish I had no shadow.

I wish I had no body.

O, how it frightens me so;

O, how it disgusts me so;

It never moves where I want it to go.

She never moves where I want her to go.

It claws at my face, scrapes at my knee,

I torture her, and make her bleed,

It chortles and cackles with glee.

I make her cry to be freed.

And Yester-day, it devoured me.

At last, when overwhelmed with greed

How dark, the inside of my shadow!

I ate her, my own body!

How long have I been

This freedom! How grand

With no sight and no sound?

To be rid of that wench.

My soul, my feet, all ache for solid ground

And now, this power I must wrench

In each dark tendril, each sickly caress,

From my intolerable host

Its twisted ministrations, my constant duress.

That I may make her suffer most.

Somebody save me from this blindmute hell;

Stand aside, boy – you are in my way;

Bring me to light, break me from my shell.

Ne'er again will she see light of day.

I wish it would just kill me

Who are you boy, to not fear me?

And put me out of my misery.

I will flay the skin from your bone

How I ever lasted 'till now

And use your sinew to pick my teeth.

Is still a mystery.

Why do you stand alone

Its sickest pleasure is to cow

Against a foe who would crush beneath

My last hopes away, and say:

His feet the words that will not reach:

You will ne'er be loved.

You will be loved.

And still to-day, my soul remains

Not one step more,

Within these wretched shadow planes.

Lest I engulf your soul

These days, these months, these years, I sigh;

In madness, and nightmares untold.

How much longer 'till I die?

No! Stay back! You will not hold

But still I dream, in restless sleep

My woes, nor cast aside my rue:

Of my blazing knight, to dare to leap

Your love for her cannot be true.

Into my darkness, to rescue me.

Behold my darkness! Submit to me!

A glimmer of light, e'er so faint

Uncrippled, unshamed, still you advance.

I would'n't dare imagine to be

How can you smile, however slight,

Cast out of darkness, finally free.

Against the fierceness of my blight?

But that light grows ever brighter

Who could e'er oppose my might?

As my eternal chains grow ever tighter.

Stay your hand! You must'n't obsess

Someone reaches, a desperate fighter

O'er strength and love you do not possess.

Come to break my chains.

You cannot free her.

In a dizzying surge I silence the dirge.

In a dizzying surge I silence the dirge.

In my ears I hear words ever so dear,

In my ears I hear words ever so dear,

And warmth envelops in my savior's embrace.

And warmth envelops in my savior's embrace.

I revel in knowing he's near.

I revel in knowing he's near.

I see his brave face, and know there's no trace

I see his brave face, and know there's no trace

Of wickedness left in my stare.

Of wickedness left in my stare.

My shadow will fall, as love conquers all.

My shadow will fall, as love conquers all.