cold fingers
grip my throat
a gag of deceit
forced into my mouth
rabid dogs lunge and bristle
as I
their quarry
dangle above them
powerless

my fate
in my hands no longer
torn from me
and I
a willing accomplice
stand
silent, watching
offering my hands to be bound and my heart
broken

burning tears
stream
down my cheeks
I scream, I cry
but the lies hold back the words,
words of explanation
of anger and of fear
need and hunger
secured by duplicity
heavy on my tongue

ropes of propriety
cut fiercely into my wrists
life drips
from my fingers to fall
into the waiting fury below
draining my spirit away
no hope
of either release or rescue

© 2004, Antonia Balvanz