Emotional Enemy

My companion
loneliness
laughs at me
from every corner
of every room
stalking me in every step
it lurks in silence
like wafts of sinister breaths
trying to break my spirit

in the stillness of the night
my strength comes
in moments remembered
by your side
your love burns within my heart
and I know
at least until tomorrow
I have conquered this emotional enemy
surviving one more night
alone . . .

Joe Labriola