No Worries (Poetry)

It’s just about that time of day
when brother Doubt comes out to play
he pokes his tongue and tugs my hair
he pinches, prods me everywhere
and whispers hate into my ear
so low that only I can hear

He is an ugly child — a pest
who threatens only half in jest
his nature’s dark — he’s often mean
and uses language quite obscene
he’s keen to shock — he makes up lies
he creeps about — he sneaks and spies ...

He has a twin whose name’s Despair
it is a common aim they share
to bring me down — to undermine
with thoughts so foreign and malign
I half-imagine I’m insane —
some devil has possessed my brain

I fight those feelings tooth and nail
normality returns somehow
once brother Doubt is locked away
Despair held stubbornly at bay
Anxiety’s the nervous aunt
who begs me answer — but I shan’t

I’d rather have no ties of blood
nor suffer spiteful ghosts of love
so I decide I’m not at home
when through the gate old worries come
to whine and whimper, scratch and gnaw
my firmly-locked determined door