Panic 2 A.M.

when I think of all the stories I have heard the travelers tell I know all there is of heaven I know all I need of hell but I believe I see the ending you know a storm is coming soon that old willow tree is bending I hear a wildcat's angry howl elusive sleep is just an eyeball glowing red into the gloom hopeless shadows spin a nightmare softly creeping to my room after midnight lurks a power beyond the pale of grace or sin it's a brooding evil hour I call it panic 2 A.M. I am caught up in a cyclone too much pain and emptiness my brain is whirling caught in exile a dark vortex of loneliness did that hand I held a moment traveling on the road to glory ever know I heard their tale ever hear my own sad story it is late at night and calling is the wildcat's lonely growl night time shadows surely falling the cat is answered by the owl after midnight lurks a power beyond the pale of grace or sin it's a brooding evil hour I call it panic 2 A.M. every man is just an island whirlpool eddies guard the reef hungry dragons by the wayside forked tongues and no relief I know the hurricane is coming lizard fire to burn the earth storm cloud thunder distant drumming fire and ice and no rebirth the gyre will churn the muddy water eye wall screams and anvil sounds the wild cat cowers in an alley a rumbling wave throughout the town after midnight lurks a power beyond the pale of grace or sin it's a brooding evil hour I call it panic 2 A.M. memories' colors all are fading wind whipped rags upon a line hail and lightning now retreating like the windstorm in my mind the wildcat's track has all but vanished the owl is nowhere to be seen the lizards lick their tongues and wonder was mankind a futile dream the stories idiots must tell us of life's glory and it's pain recycle with galactic nova the wanton cities of the plain after midnight lurks a power beyond the pale of grace or sin it's a brooding evil hour I call it panic 2 A.M.