The Midnight Problem

Contrasts: --- break ---

The Midnight Problem --- break ---

Late into the night I work,
Through the midnight hour,
Shut in a dark rimmed circle of light,
Rain hammering on the pain,
Far beyond the shadows.

Solely focused on the problem,
Eyes wide and weary,
Mind tired and torn,
Perplexed,
Tense, stressed,
Refusing defeat,
Refusing all offers of succour,
A still battle of giants,
Words and thoughts,
Fighting against the mind of a mage,
Shearing reality and fiction.

I try to find the solution,
Twisting my pen,
Searching for the better angle,
Hoping for inspiration.

Reaching for space,
A thought suggests a way out,
But the words anticipate the move,
The general's troops advance.

Words and mage,
Locked again in battle,
Checkmate,
Solution postponed,
Problem unresolved.