Don't Let It Own You Poem, by Tristan Robert Lange, at My poetic side

There comes a time when one dreams of travel,

To explore all of life’s long corridors,

But most find that dream crushed by a gavel,

Where time closes all those exotic doors.

Not so for me, though, as I sit here and see

That I have driven much further than most.

I have forged my own path on this journey,

I’ve loosed the skeletons—freed ev’ry ghost.

I’ve not avoided the depths of abyss,

Nor hid from the fiery gates of hell—

Heaven forbid!—for then I’d be remiss,

Allowing demons to sound ev’ry bell.

I’ve coursed through all of the horrible pain,

But pain has never become the author,

Rather, the journey written is a gain

For the pains have much healing to offer.

I have traveled through the depths of dark,

Slaying ev’ry demon along the way,

Their heads impaled on pikes—their deaths the spark—

I’ve seen all their weaknesses on display.

I have witnessed the cracks in prison walls,

Seen the fire’s light blazing right on through,

All it takes is for one to break down stalls.

Hell hath no fury; don’t let it own you.

May 7, 2025

East Stroudsburg, PA