that familiar feeling

his confidence battered and bruised
the sublimity of his existence was shaken
tears like incandescent jewels escaped his eyes
the vice like grip of fear overcame him

he ran
every foot fall reminding him of his cowardice
each stride taking him further from truth
and in his escape he felt shame

soon it became dark and he slowed his pace
in his self-focused escapism he became lost
about him was a mire, an overwhelming bog
he opened his eyes wide to see his predicament

but the diameter of his pupil did not improve his vision
he was entombed in darkness
despair seized him
the last glimmer of hope seemed to be deserting him

he clambered after it
he begged it to remain
wild-eyed and distraught
he cried out: MERCY!