Hollowed out like a tunnel in a mine —
I see no light but I know my prison,
Where disloyal darkness admits no time.
The stones or metals once found here have gone —
Precious or base in crumbling ochre rocks.
I wait, abandoned, barred, disgraced, closed off —
No one will teach me how to breach the locks.
Noises — scrapes and scratches like guilt and shame —
Perhaps a vile creature or another judged soul —
Bring me reminders of loss and sorrow —
Contagious ageless plagues in this foul hole.
You say that I should think myself lucky,
And all bad things must pass before too long,
Snap out of it and be a man, you urge,
There are no fears when you have done no wrong.
