"Haunting Depths" : Exploring How Fears Affect Mental Health and Relationships

Into your eyes, I look

Into their depths, I gaze

Seeing darkness you try to hide

It wasn't much, just a simple touch

Into your deepest hidden secret, I see

Seeing your thoughts nicknamed demons

Each whispers with distinct voice

Changing your posture and composure

Each emitting a frequency, collectively an aura

Have you named them

Do you see their faces as I do

How do you stand their repugnant odor

Watching them sweat

They're not used to being seen

Exposure ignites their fear

Fear activates flight

Their once insidious voices now loudly treacherous

You run, eye-blocking gaze to the ground

This poem captures witnessing the darkness and concealed secrets within someone's eyes, the influence of these internal battles on their outward actions, and how they can settle into haunting depths when unaddressed over time. The poem also touches on behaviors associated with the fear of awakening to one's inner demons and the shame of them being seen by others. Inner demons are something that every one of us has; however, they go by names such as negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, self-depreciation, insecurities, overthinking, and even simply unresolved wounds/trauma from past experiences. All of these fears affect our mental health and relationships.