This is very hard to interpret because there is so much going on here and there are so many ways this can go haha. At first I thought you could be the demon and you are trying to fight who you are inside. Or I think the more logical thing is the "creeper" could be a disease inside your love (as in cancer, a tumor). And if that is the case it's very hard to deal with, so I loved how you worded this so much. I think also you could be fighting sadness inside of yourself as well trying to stay strong for both of you. Anyways I loved the small or subtle things you added in this. Like the use of nature (with the flowers) and the small tone of love you have. The message is sad but so strong overall. Truly lovely write dear. Stay strong <3

Specs of ash fall like brazen tears,
pretending to share emotion
with my sorrow, for the sake
of being humane.

- arrgh, the wording here is so great, but what I got from this was more of the way people say "they know how you feel" or "I understand" when in reality they have no idea at all. It is like human nature also for some people to pretend, I really get annoyed by people doing this when they never really care. It is different when people do care, and try to understand, but you do get people who just pretend to even care. Anyway, that is where I went with this opening!!

Phazed within shadows
the creeper stalks
upon midnight,
refusing to unleash
the possession
of
my
lover.

- I think this is talking about the illness and how it is like a powerful master, who no one can beat or control, it takes great pride and pleasure from keeping prisoners. And I think here it shows also, how it can control one person so much, and in turn, control the lives of so many others related to the first person. It has a knock on affect which is shown here.

Dancing willows
amuse my fear,
hoping that
morning shall return-

- I like the innocence of the dancing trees here, and how this is your comfort, it is one thing that keeps you grounded to life, keeps you hanging on even though you are sacred. They become a comfort blanket so to speak. And the hope holding on that if you stay here one more day, you will be grateful for morning to come again.

Another day bestowed
upon my strength
gives me time
to battle the demon
beyond the window.

- The ending again shows how much of a battle it is for you to get trough each day, you show us the struggle at both day and night, and how you only wish for some peace and to escape the pain and depression.

You do pen emotion well, especially when you use nature to sugar coat it.

Another deep, but powerful write. Loving the title. I like the word shades because it shows how it can go dark, but also how there is the shades of hope there, which you have to hold on to.