Storm Clouds and the Sun

As the storm clouds gather

and the cold rain bursts forth,

his mind’s burdens grow heavy on him

and can no longer hide from his demons.

Whisky in hand and with a heavy heart,

he looks back through the shadows of his years -

only to find a monster staring,

with bared fangs and bloodshot eyes.

A curse on his lips, he starts pacing

and with his mind’s eye, squints into the distance -

only to see an old man struggling

with stooping shoulders and a bent back.

He stares, eyes wide with horror

as his mind unravels the secret of time -

the days go by too slowly,

but the years have passed him by too fast.

He gasps for breath as his mind searches,

for something to make him carry on.

But he knows he is only clutching at straws,

and he feels his will crumble.

He always thought that there was no meaning,

but now he truly believes it.

And so he pours himself a generous serving,

for it is to be his last drink.

Just as he decides to end it all,

and with trembling hands, reaches for his gun,

loads it and puts it to his temple,

the clouds part and the sun bursts to life.