The Land Where Hope is Banished

Dante said, "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." Some places are better not experienced.

My eyes now opened. Dark stands all around.
My heart, it sinks. My body falling free.
When will I stand? When will I feel the ground?
The sulfur's strong. My breathing, it can't be.

Whence came you, Worms? Begone from off my arms.
When will this end? I feel I go insane.
"Your stay is paid. Be freed from such alarms.
You're booked through,...Well...Eternity. It's plain."

To grasp for Hope, begin I do right now.
I fear there's none. This place it won't allow.

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Prompt for round 5: A story of dark reality.
Lines: 10
August, 2026

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by Jay O’Toole
on August 17th, 2026