Captive

“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard only by the one held captive.” ~ Danielle Bernock, For long, a captive to stark loneliness He had only dark shadows for company Wandering aimless from place to place With the burden of years on his back He has come seeking to have an escape, From the damp tunnels and hollows of solitude. Now he is lost faceless in a faceless crowd. A driftwood thrown aside on a crowded beach. The sea of people who pass roaring by, Never pause to look at this man, Who came trudging miles, To find a commiserative soul. None cared to look into his eyes or read his heart. A sailor in a lifeboat without oars! A rolling stone kicked off by every passing wave! At last, he saw his world slowly falling apart. All he could do was stare vacant into the void. Still rises a faint cry from his heart, ‘Had I got another soul to cling to’! He lived a captive to loneliness. Now pulling on with silent screams, with their echoes Battering the walls of his captive heart! Feb.4. 2023 ~ Placed First~ Writing Challenge, C words- Poetry Contest Sponsor- Constance La France