My Dark Companions

They have been with me

Since I can remember

But they are not things

My dark companions

Are my untamed emotions

I talk about them

Almost as if they are

My friends

I suspect them

Standing behind me

I deny them

In my gut

They play together

In my head

They reside

In my bones

I learned their names

When I was young

From the other kids

We call them

Fear the ruler

Sorrow the liar

Anger the enemy

Boredom the dilettante

Doubt the decoy

Discomfort the complainer

Irritable the quibbler

Restless the fretter

Discontent the child