How to Tame a Shadow

We try to tuck them away

in dark places, hissing

shadow upon shadow,

creeping into the corners

of our mouths and flicked

from oily tongues.


Dig deep and pull,

lie them naked upon

the table and let us see

them as they truly are,

spineless and quaking

in the morning light.


We give them names

Ignorance and Hate


For in recognition

no longer will we fall

prey to their cunning

words and charismatic

smiles.