Sealed In

Living under dirt and weeds,
a bead of light is all she sees.
It’s a violation: off to the station.
Now he’s her bailiff,
and hope’s her crime.
He caught her dreaming so
she does the time.
Love without the joy.
Pain without the sin.
Days without the light.
Nights without the slumber.
She sets fire to her cell.
The flecks of ash, they match her well…
But the dying embers suit her better.
Nothing changes but the air.
She doesn’t move — she doesn’t dare.
This is her curse: it only gets worse.
Love without the joy.
Pain without the sin.
Days without the light.
Nights without the slumber.
If she could… If she could…
Oh dear God, she surely would.
But he’s bound her heart, her mouth, her ears.
She’s nothing left but sight and tears.
The tears that wash her burned out cell.
She wonders if anyone can tell it’s…
Love without the joy.
Pain without the sin.
Days without the light.
Nights without the slumber.