No Way Out

Slogging swampy bogs, suction at the feet Like pushing through molasses with a spoon No evidence of forward progress made Mired in a morass of foul decay Vile filth closing in on what once was Trapped in horrid ever-present now Who can say what tomorrow brings? What does tomorrow even mean? The hands of time are bound up tight Fetid vapors rushing up Senses overwhelmed, recoil Oppressive, suffocating Forward has no meaning No option for retreat The world is closing in Rudderless and lost Disoriented Every way is down Such heaviness Stoops the shoulders Buckles the knees Despairing Silent screams Go unheard Hopeless Endless Nightmare No Way Out ————— For the 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 11 Poetry Contest Sponsored by Mark Toney Written 07/13/2022

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Andrew John

Date: 7/26/2022 3:55:00 AM

One can feel this powerful piece, Jeff. I love the way it tapers, visually, towards the end, till we have two stanzas each of three lines = three words - words with that feeling of finality.

Jeff Kyser
Date: 7/26/2022 6:00:00 AM

Thanks, Andrew! I've seen folks on this site use the format of a poem to add impact; I hoped it would add effect here.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/13/2022 8:23:00 PM

No way out ~ Jean Paul Sartre... couldn't resist! :) No Exit

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 7/13/2022 4:34:00 PM

"Forward has no meaning No option for retreat The world is closing in" - I am truly hoping this is not true, but feeling it a bit myself, Jeff.

Ann Foster

Date: 7/13/2022 2:18:00 PM

This was powerful. The imagery was extremely relateable. Well written. Ann

L Milton Hankins

Date: 7/13/2022 5:28:00 AM

Wow! I felt every single line of your poem, Jeff...the desperation, the hopelessness, the fear one must feel in a situation where death is imminent and there is no one to help. Quicksand.

Jeff Kyser
Date: 7/13/2022 5:39:00 AM

My daughter suffers from depression from time to time. Thankfully, things have been under control for a number of years now. I only have the slightest hint of what it is for her