Contained, a crumbling shell
I yearn for escape
Not here to dwell.
Entering every day
Scratched uniforms, hard hands
What's to be my way?
Pain swells, febrile cries.
Stays sweet sleep
when I close my eyes.
Grating birdsong heralds dawn
Tears with gruel
For carrying on
Daily pills, nodding head
Docile smiles
And palmed instead
My tiny friends, their siren call
The time now
A choice? no choice at all
beeps blending, a continual whine.
losing grip
on this tawdry time
pain lessening, darkening sight.
with joyful heart
I slip into the night
