Isolation

Isolation leans on his shoulders

bearing down with the full weight of silence

slowly crushing his spirit and grinding his soul

into the black tar sands of eternity


Joy has fled

from the relentless stress

of carrying all of the burdens

of life’s living on his own


Hope has long since wilted

under the drudgery of daily duty,

responsibility,

and neglect


Why he awakes each day has grown to mystical proportion;

there is no pleasure,

no recognition,

no support.


But, with each approaching dawn, he rises from fitful sleep,

drawn to the graying horizon,

to stand tall;

aches, pains, fears, and all


One day,

he will fail

to answer the call,

but not today.

　

© copyright 2012 Marty Vandermolen, All Rights Reserved