It claims the silence

Strangles the hope, full of hollow eyes and

Haunted souls and shudders of chilling rains.

The trap is taut.

I trip.

The despair is smothering,

obliterating every thought of light.

Soon the battle will be lost, and

I will become like the others; racking sobs and

Endless sighs become me. But lo! A crack

In the dark! A shard of light grazes my cheek,

Daring, inviting me.

I am blind, but grasp at the shred of warmth

In vain.

For the light itself is not strong

Enough to draw me from this abyss

Of everlasting gray.