Terrible

The Darkness Without and Light Within


A dank cell with four walls
So mute and so demure it calls
Its occupant screams for his release
But little he can do will break the leash
The smell alone grinds upon the nostrils
Skeletons float in the corner beyond that of fossils
The prisoner blinded with fury for his plight
Cannot even see his fingers to begin the fight
Gray inner walls made of stone and layer
Speaking softly to no one but its moody sayer
The grating rough stone a picture of age
The darkness within causing a burning rage
Slowly the man beats his hands upon the wall
Trying in vain to make them tumble and fall
Blood trickling down from his beefy right hand
His futile screams trying to relay his command
Quiet again the smell again grates
Telling the naked figure of his desperate straights
Stammering he finds a seat on the cold cement floor
No light no sound just he and the door
Off in the corner lies a slit for a view
A window so slight its sight is taboo
It shines brilliantly on a bucket of tin
Filled half way with the waste from within
Its smell permeates all around
Smells so foul it could level the town
But then a flickering light happens in the slit
Nothing less for the man to go see it
He finds a lark so brilliant and bold
Making light of its wait so beaming and gold
Reaching, the man begins to clasp
A small life held firmly in his grasp
Softly he whistles to mimic the creature
Calming its nerves like a mindful teacher
What can you teach me? says the man flush
A sweet melody comes out in a rush
No song so sweet can these stone walls bear
As the man listens close falling safely on air
Dreaming of a field so green and lush and strong
Where everything meant nothing and nothing was wrong
The sweet flowers draw his senses awake
Gleaming and beaming like a still blue lake
His mind is away from the terrible ordeal
Hearing the song of the lark he begins to feel
That all will be golden and everything right
Senses so full feeling the golden light
But as soon as it happens it is gone once more
Tears plunge from deep within the man's core
Escaping from his hand the lark flies free
Waving a somber goodbye with its thumping melody
Back to darkness is the man's eye
Squinting to see the remains of the night go by
Cold is the floor so dusty and weak
Trying is the situation so terrible and bleak
Nothing can be done about the pale moonlight
Shining brightly on the slit being the man's only sight
Teaming with the light of the full moon
The larks freedom song in his mind so soon


Noel Malenosky