The Well

A.W. Nutter

Able to see a round circle of light
The sun slowly ascending into the sky
Futile, spilling tears over my plight
 As I struggle to survive I wonder why

As each morning comes I sign the cross
Clinging to hope with religious gestures
The sides of my tomb, slick with moss
Hands bloodied from repeated failures

Weakened from being in this hole so long
Chance of survival more illusion than reality
Leaving me to die in this well was wrong
Persecuted unjustly, for a wife's infidelity

Placing my back against the stone wall
Preparing myself for one final climb
Inch by agonizing inch I slowly crawl
Struggling to find handholds in the slime

Trying in vain to control my excitement
As I roll over the edge onto firm ground
Finally free of my watery confinement
When the Sheriff returns I won't be found

Slowly gaining enough strength to stand
Frozen in place at what my eye's now see
The husbands cruelty I'll never understand
Hanging his wife by her neck from a tree

Suddenly a rope tightens around my chest
Sheriff, ensures my hands are tightly laced
Screaming, I journey toward eternal rest
As into the well I am once again placed
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Beesley Avatar
September 1, 2010 at 10:06 AM
sounds like uncle toms cabin and the homocidal sherriff i've got a couple of story poems read "lake of fire"
Lusha Avatar
August 31, 2010 at 3:11 PM
The imagery , you paint with your pen is amazing its just gripping, half way through your trying to guess the ending and no your never right, the twist at the end so unexpected, fantastic....Allie
Johnson Avatar
August 8, 2010 at 9:10 PM
Oh I''m going to have nightmares. I shouldn't be reading your poems before I go to bed. Good storys but so scary.Thank you for your comments on my posting. Love, Joyce
Brown Avatar
July 24, 2010 at 9:41 AM
This write speaks vividly about life's struggles. A beautiful piece.
Knop Avatar
July 19, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Sad but so well written and choose of words, Anthony! Let your creative pen flow and thank you for your kind comment! Have a nice week!...Gert
Strand Avatar
July 11, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Lik the way verse one stands alone as an enigmatic inner poem.Anthony.Rgds Brian
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
July 11, 2010 at 3:30 AM
Your poetry is emotion packed, Anthony. Life is about choices. Pain comes from wrong choices...when one is trying to be perfected. Your writing draws me deep into thought. I wish you joy and hope that most of your pain is fiction. But I fear that it is not. God be with you. Lovingly, Dane Ann
Clark Avatar
July 8, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Wow, emotional agony or real life saga? Nice write Anthony, Thanks for your kind comments! Best, Jeralynn
Neels Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Wow, the visuals is amazing.. Perfect though a little sad.. Wilma
Brown Avatar
July 6, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Thank you for sharing your poetry with us here at PoetrySoup Anthony. I hope you plan on being here and writing for years to come. It was a pleasure to read your poetry today. Wishing you the best always. Love, Carol
Slaughter Avatar
July 5, 2010 at 11:30 PM
Wow! This was a very well written poem of a horribly sad situation!
A   Avatar
July 5, 2010 at 9:24 PM
awesome and deep write
Horsman Avatar
July 5, 2010 at 9:10 PM
so sad Anthony, excellent read, Harry
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