The Battle Within

Clawing from the base of the abysmal tomb
Scraping knuckles bleed from bitter fight
Spent muscles strain against restraint
Lungs wheeze and struggle for sustaining breath
As the heart’s mass shrinks within its chest
Once outside, the form at last seems free

But freedom isn’t granted so easily

A life dangles in precarious balance
Over the ledge of sanity’s precipice
Nearly toppled by the weight of dread
All may be lost if one single shred of hope
Fails to gleam into this despondent place
For nearly to the end of faith they’ve come

This human in the ticking time bomb race

So excruciatingly the soul is bound
So surely and completely gripped, it is
By deathly ills which ensnared the waiting one
With vines of tangled, twisted lies
So many that the person became numb
And against the evils of this world became

Ever unprepared and did succumb


©Donna Golden
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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12
Freeman Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 6:50 PM
High class Donna. Congratulations on your feature. Sincerely, love Moses
Fisher Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Many congrats on your featured piece this week. Rgds Janette
Richards Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 8:42 AM
Oh yes, I remember this amazing poem, and believe it is one of your best! Congratulations on having his here on the featured page this week! A wonderful poem to read again!~ Carrie
Strand Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 8:19 AM
Congrats on your feature poem this week Donna Rgds Brian
Sweetheart Avatar
January 24, 2010 at 9:27 PM
Congrats Donna on your featured poem on the Soup this week... excellent choice.. luv.. Linda-Marie..
 Avatar
January 24, 2010 at 3:08 PM
The vivid imagery conveys you thoughts in a powerful way. Congratulations on having your poem featured. I wish you ongoing success with your writing. Karen
Fraser Avatar
January 24, 2010 at 1:59 PM
Many congratulations in you deserved featured poem this week, Donna >> James
Brown Avatar
January 24, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Congratulations are your well deserved featured poem this week Donna. Love, Carol
Sheart Avatar
October 3, 2009 at 6:28 AM
Donna Congrats!! Love Light Truth Patricia
Moreno Avatar
October 2, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Amazing write, best of luck in the next round...Raul
Moreno Avatar
October 2, 2009 at 12:17 PM
2 great entires, best of luck...Raul
Gass Avatar
September 29, 2009 at 5:46 AM
This is a very deep and moving piece, Donna. Your title is perfect. Congratulation on your triple! Best of luck in the finals with all your beautiful poetry! Love, Robin
Sheart Avatar
September 25, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Congrats!! Love Light Truth Patricia
George   Avatar
September 25, 2009 at 4:10 AM
Dear Donna, Best wishes through to the next round. Love Lainie
Fraser Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Donna, congratulations in getting past round one of the competition, good luck >> James,x
Strand Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Well done, Donna best wishes in the next rounds with your poems.Rgds Brian
Darwin Avatar
January 30, 2009 at 2:23 AM
Wow. Such encapturing imagery. Really...just..wow....
Higgins Avatar
January 27, 2009 at 4:02 AM
The second satnza rocks! Balance, precipice, single shred of hope..the lines / words really makes the reader sit on edge waiting to see where the voice in the poem will lead. Great imagery.
Jordan Avatar
January 26, 2009 at 3:36 AM
Hi Donna this poem is well written and I found it to be rather profound - Great word choice in this piece - god Bless, MJ
Williams Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Hello Donna.. thoughtful and deep writing really enjoyed reading this ! Thank you for your comment on Spare Car Keys a poem from a very sad time in my past.... thanks again
Heck Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Visceral feelings expressed here. Your words grip the reader's throat and doesn't let go. Your third stanza is dynamite, knock-out brilliant. It sets the stage for your resolution of emotions penned in your last verse. Kudos to you on this raw and relevant write. Peace and hugs, John
Richards Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 8:54 AM
Living can be such a battleground of pain and struggle, fear and dread, birth does not prepare us....so well written, Donna...excellent, dark, painful writing...yet so well done! ~ Love, Carrie
Winter Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Aren't we all somewhat unprepared. Such an excellent write. A battle many of us fight, some more often, more fierce, than others. Well done. Love, Shar
Fawcett Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Great write, Donna, from the first to the last word. I love the way that, despite the warnings and dark elements of the scene, the light of hope burns brightly. Awesome! Love, Nigel
Moreno Avatar
January 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Nice words and great structure. I've Scraped my knuckles a time or two...Raul
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