I wake

With little surprise

at the rope

slithering over my wrists

and the chains

laced around my ankles

I look around

Unappalled

by the emptiness

of this space

by the lack of light

that should otherwise be flooding

this vast,

hollow void.

I shout

for help

for mercy

for peace

My pleas

stream from my mouth

and echo around my head

ricocheting off the edges

of what seems

to be the world

expanding

Filling the deepest depths

of the darkest places

I listen

Unfazed

to the faded ringing

of impending silence

and the rise of cruel laughter

and yelps of glee

at my despair

at my sorrow

at my weakness

at my anger

and my hunger

for freedom

I am deafened

by my cold

shattered

heartbeat

by my racing thoughts

and the apathetic symphony

that floats through the air

Filled with frustration

bent by rage

beat down

broken

exhausted

I choke back tears

and bite my tongue

I close my eyes,

shutting off the world before me

And I wait

Hoping

to feel a trickle of hope

a few drops of courage

Confused

and disappointed

by the sharp numbness

that filled my soul

I wondered

Will I be like this forever?

or is this the point where silence

will amount

to light

to strength

and to happiness?