I am ...

I am the very bane of your existence

 

I slither my way through your consciousness
eating away at all that is good
all that is pure

 Justifying the ugliest of acts
that's me

Stealing the gleam of a child's eye

That's me too

 

I am the black smoke that hinders all your reason
I deprive you of all your sense
and leave you a worthless,
seething monstrosity

I fester in your heart and mind

body and soul

I consume every last inch

of your humanity

Few can resist me

for I am inviting

and to the belligerent of minds,

soothing

 To my tactics, all are susceptible

and all vulnerable

 

So shield yourself, oh victim

You cannot afford to let me in

Purge me and thwart my efforts. Vehemently.

It is your only salvation

 

So what am I?