Night Demons


Who are you to criticize me
I who have walked the tortured paths
To arrive at where I am 
It is I who faced the demons in that secret place

The place where in us all
No man is ever allowed to tread
And if perchance he stumbles there
Is Immediately cast out with a strong reprimand

Why do you judge me knowing nothing
Of where I`ve been or who I`ve seen
While walking pathways You dare not 
Even imagine in you worst night mare

I have been there as man and boy
To the dark reaches that linger in the mind
of us all. Places of which we dare not speak
Lest someone think us not all there

But I have seen the darkness turn into light 
I have faced the demons in the night
I write with hands experienced in fright
The demons no longer visit me at night.

(c) DAVID M ZIEGLER 1992