The Shadow Man

The distant past takes form
Stalking me
The way a dangerous man
Skulks in shadows
Preying upon another.

From time to time
I see him
Emerging
From the dark
As he scurries
Shadow to shadow.

I am a warrior.
But how may even a warrior
Destroy memories
From yesterday?

Though the shadow man
Has no lungs
With which to breathe
Or exhale his venom
I hear his low
Sinister growl.

Having long given thought
To my predicament
I have come to one conclusion…

Memories cannot be destroyed
Nor may the threat of attack
Be avoided
But I have within my power
To be a good man
And if necessary
Die as a good man
And not as what I was
When I was not
What I now am.