No Surrender

There is darkness in this place;
this void where broken spirits lie
gasping final breaths...

where hope is rendered bruised and torn
and pallored ghosts of dreams still dance
to silenced music.

Taunts of all that could have been
borne on whispering wings at night,
piercing sleep's armor...

the blush of what still could be
withers in despair's poisoned wake,
begging mercy's touch.

'Tis neither death nor hell's domain...
herein, the flesh demands its due,
bartering with pain,

minioned senses attesting
to peace and joy in quiet wait
just beyond my grasp.

I will never surrender,
willingly hostaged to dark's keep;
I will loose the chains...

my sentence to these dungeons
random, incidental, cruel,
defeated on appeal.