Gates of Desolation

Gates of Desolation

By: Tracey Criswell Wilson

I beat upon the concrete sealed doors,
But rescue does not find me.
With bloodied fists, I face the turmoil -
Tired eyes behold savaged land.

My pages of life ripped from a book,
Teasing me, just out of reach.
Birds of prey peck and claw my parched skin
Tearing it to flapping shreds.

Suffering unlike any I've seen -
Buckling, I fall to the ground.
Choking on the dry and dusty earth
I struggle to stand once more.

Scouring all the desolate surface
There is no rest for my soul.
The fires grow with intensity -
And my hopes all abandoned.

(16 lines)