Black dog

He tries to shut it out
With consistent distraction
Exhausted every night 
Floundering inaction
The black dog remains
Perched; waiting...
At the end of his bed
Persistent; deliberating...
He drifts into sleep
Only with those sounds
Echoing around him
Sounds playing quietly 
Right there in his head
He prays to find peace
Right there in his bed
But dreams; visions 
Interfere; intrude...
No matter how hard he tries
The face he sees; eyes wide; gaping
"Yes! I know he's dead
Leave me alone; get out of my head!"

She cries; silently; by herself
Desperate for sleep
Wondering; replaying 
The same day just keeps
Replaying; betraying
Her memories...
Her peace; shattered
The phone call; she missed
Her father; she kissed
So very long ago
He is gone; never to return
She cannot stop those thoughts
In this web; like a fly; she is caught 
Wings beating; ever more slowly...
The black dog never leaves her
Though she tries; desperately to free her
Her mind; from this sadness; pain
She lost her grandma
6 short/long months ago
Like her Nana; 7 years ago this July
Though her mind keeps asking; "why?"
Lord she needs help to ease her mind...