Writer’s Spotlight: Nathaniel D’Amato

Nathaniel is a sophomore English major with film and sustainability studies minors. Also the president of the Creative Writing Club, which you should join! 

The Black Dog 

Encounter: 

A melancholic presence lurks nearby, looming 

out of sight, lurched around the corner in wait. 

Its lifeless glare meets mine, a subconscious 

agreement of possession, all becomes enveloped. 

Suffocated through the snares of embrace and allurement, 

thoughts racing, hundreds, only to be muted by a roaring growl, 

a final warning, ignored, forever 

tethered to my being. 

Struggle: 

Teeth cling to untampered flesh with ease, 

Waiting, tearing all away, an act of twisted judgment. 

Loathing its abused, set on imposing its will through 

the ripping of meat, the destruction of flesh. 

I try, desperately, freedom, from its accursed grasp, 

a salvation near unobtainable. 

I roar opposed, a wailing declaration 

of hope. 

Contend: 

To war with the foe, rebuke repulsion, 

deny the gratification of my being — 

The sole objective. 

Its violence begets violence. 

Endure: 

I withstand, resist its hold. 

Try overcome pain, 

grabbing appendages, 

opposing blows 

An act for not, futile, 

fueling it forward, 

making escape 

impossible 

I oppose. Succumb: Insatiable malice, 

reserved to punishing 

capitulated chew toy

my resistance futile. 

Yet, fate can’t be accepted, I refuse extirpation. 

War will not cease 

for I will never yield.