Breathe your life into me,

And to you, I’ll do the same.

Abandon all your lies and dreams,

And lend to me your pain.

Yes, feed to me your sorrows,

A spoonful at a time.

Nourish me with vengeance

And the questions in your mind.

Build me ever stronger

From the hate that you conceal.

Give your time and energy,

And, at last, make me real.

For though you think you found me

In the swampland of your mind–

I was who discovered you

And waited with patience and time.

So give me body with your ink,

Give me mind upon a page.

Give me life, and love, and limb,

And a story I can stage.

Lose yourself to feeling,

Let your anger thrive,

For if my grip is strong,

I may just come alive.

This game we play together

Of the author and the pawn

Is one of sleepless nights

And of working ‘til the dawn.

Pretend you have control–

I will play the part–

But rely on me too much,

And you will lose your art.

So breathe your life into me,

And to you, I’ll do the same.

Breathe your life into me,

And I’ll begin my reign.

Copyright Sarah Davidson 2021