Prison of Chalk Lines
He wonders in silence aloud screaming
speaking to his own reflection unseen
memorized moments unfolding backward
like a rubber band unwinding
in its given way and own time
as fear brings clouds nearer
yet denial looms larger than life
a victim of someone else
escaped culpability captures him again
overtaken suddenly in shock
he looks dismayed at his own handiwork
so he calls a tempest forward
drawing on his smallest self
intentionally blinded by accident
using his own staff
stabbing his heart in pain
rather than holding onto firm ground
some angst jumps across his chest
rejected by God's unsent mercy
disallowed by his own sheer will
an unforgiving menace to himself
suffocated by his own hands
that reach from behind him like a serpent
as if someone else was his poison
stepping backward as fast as he gains
like a turtle in his shell he shies away
alone this night a meal digesting hastily
recapitulating the day ahead
even before it has begun
this kind of present haunts him today
as yesterday's unlearned lessons creep
into another day and life
swirling as if in a vortex
he refuses to breach the circle
that grips him tightly as if
in his own prison of chalk lines
Copyright © Patrick Parks | Year Posted 2012
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