Wicked Whispers

he was subdued
not by the common cold
doctors said he acquired
but by wicked whispers
spinning round his head
offering false versions
of past events
tales plucked from
the resolved bin
now all like balls in the air
making him dance madly
running to catch and squelch
each eruption of lies
first with vigor,
then later with dim, nearly-
closed eyes and a fruitless
wave of his hand
exhausted,spent,
the door marked freedom
lay within reach
a glow creeping from beneath
what would it be, he mused,
shall I give up and go or
surrender and stay?