A Scream Within The Dream

It was many a year ago 
And even longer still,
In this lighthouse by the shore,
That I was sure I heard a noise,
A scream at my chamber door.
 
At that moment my soul grew weary,
My spirit naught but ash
Which had carcassed and fell upon the floor.
And my shadow still, 
Which Surpassed me 
Long ago in the forsaken days
Of Yore.
 
At that moment in my heart
There was a certain burning
Soon there became a  
Constant Yearning
A desire that I had long
Forgot about before. 
A series of utter bedlam 
Which had never frightened me before.
 
Moments passed 
With no mere word 
Which was spoken 
Though remained unheard.
 
As I kept to myself
Upon my many books of lore 
As their voices broke the 
Untaimed silence 
And fell upon my virgin ear
 
"Shall I intrude 
This proven evil?
Is it man, or is it devil
Which made this deafening 
Shrill upon my door?
Beast or human who so
Dared to leave his darkened 
Shadow upon the floor?"
 
At my door 
There came a sudden tapping
With many voices overlapping 
The voice of those 
Who had been dead and gone
Long before
Once a knock, nothing more.
 
As fear burned within my eyes 
From my chair
I was yet to rise
Presently here
And no further
My soul I could pertain no longer 
My faith doubted by the 
Very thing which stood
Behind my entrance door.
 
"Sir," said I. "Forgive me
If I seem mistreating
But the simple fact is 
Entrance indeed you are 
Entreating."
I stood there my heart ever beating. 
 
"Late is the night
I have no room to borrow.
Though indeed 
You may return tomorrow.
Surely your departure
I must implore.
 
I admit I have not remained
A well kept host,
I am a man not visited my most.
I have my doubts 
And I became engrossed
When I was sure I heard you
Knocking at my chamber door."
Twas here had I opened the door.
 
Somewhere deep into that darkness, lurking, 
Was a beast who stood emerging,
Demanding acknowledgement  That I’ve never once gave before.

And with that reason,
In my heart I felt such treason 
Such betrayal have I never felt more! 
“Are you are you man or are you beast?
Are you coward, or are you least?
I demand you reveal yourself to me!”
 
Slowly, ever slowly
This visitor, rude and lowly,
Came into the light wholly presenting himself to me!
 
The Horror! The unspeakable truth!
Had I been such a fool in my own youth! 
For I tell you in God’s own truth,
That child was me in my own youth! 
Here I slammed the door!
 
 
And this creature, never speaking, 
Is still entreating entrance at my chamber door,
And his eyes have seen all things 
From demons jeering,
And the light above him dreading,
To cast even his shadow upon the floor. 
For in life I’m caught in dreaming,
And the scream shall poison these dreams forevermore!