In the pit

The black pit is here despite
the glory day - I am down
among the grubs and dirt,
sharp stones, no light, finger-
nails scraping.  I cannot
move or go and my wits are slow.

I am down among the sad
dirge and its no-hope face -
I am down among the failure
people, ashamed of my life
my race.  Down among the
flies and beetles, I hear
them buzz and move.  Down
among the dead, with
everything to prove.

I cannot see the light and air,
the sweet tweets and butterflies,
tendrils of cloud, bluest of blue
skies.  I am thirsty and
I hurt - the dark and me
we'll never part.

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