On The Inside

Hell itself may be contained within the compass of a spark. - Thoreau

raining diagonally

twisted

porch light flickering

chains stressed, empty swing praying and swaying back and forth

no flashlight

no batteries

no hatches to batten down

no shutters to shut

all roads closed

no nick of time

no s.o.s. to rhyme

no crucifix 'round an outstretched neck to kiss and grasp

not even a regular deck of playing cards, only jokers

no hope

no cure

violins haggard

everything grinning sickly and snide

jesus has a crew cut

and that's just

on the inside

Author's Note

"If we cannot sing of faith and triumph, we will sing our despair. We will be that kind of bird. There are day owls, and there are night owls, and each is beautiful and even musical while about its business." - Thoreau