3 AM

We are old adversaries, 3 a.m. and I, from my youth we've struggled together. Many are the battles, endured, survived. Everything is clear, nowhere to hide from my thoughts, from my past, from my heart. Lying awake at 3, reality is raw, my thoughts accusing, blaming, vindictive.. Who can stand alone with 3 a.m.? Hauntings begin, things you thought were dead, coming to life. I now called out, my battle cry at this loathsome time.

"3, you sought my life, mercilessly slaying my peace, wracking my soul with dread at having to face you, again, again, and again, always there.
Come let's wrestle again. I have survived this long, now I will be victorious over you."

(She walks behind me, wrapping me in her arms and laying her head against my shoulder, the warmth from her body, comforting.)

"Come, let's contend again. I'm smiling at you, not from a drunken stupor, a drug induced high, or a crazed insanity, but from a strength born of hope. Come now, 3, come and try me again."

(I find myself smiling contentedly at my lover. Her soft smile that shows me I make her happy, but not nearly as happy as she has made me.)

"Come loneliness, will you wrestle with me now in this early morning? Come pain, can we contend with each other now?"

(She whispers her love in my ear)

"Despair, you miserable ally of 3, you have held me captive so many times, now I challenge you, armed with peace and contented love, weapons procured from Jah, my heavenly father through my lover."

(She calls my name from the room, her sweet soft voice, inspiring me with feelings of fulfillment)

"Be warned 3, my strength is not of this world, having full power to run through you. You shout your threats, saying you will win at the last, but, I have tenacity, born from battles innumerable, born from long nights of war, brutal conflicts, with you."

(I go in to her, holding my lover close, smiling, the sun peeking through the windows, a witness to the victory)

I raise my hands, and call to my friends, take courage, you can win over this ancient nemesis. 3 a.m. need never threaten you again.

Also published in Broowaha (http://www.broowaha.com/articles/12263/3-am)
First written in Opinionsofeye.com(http://www.opinionsofeye.com/2011/04/3am.html)