a rigidity
along the shadows
lending a
dual nature
to waking in
a river of flame
in this lower
level of hell

spent all night
dreaming of
failing to save
the three souls
that i love
as they suffer
unduly for sins
i committed myself

a poisonous swamp
at the edge of
a frozen lake
filled with souls
sick and shaking
as the winds howl
of mercies unshown
in wan gray diffusion

praying to the
silence above
for a small boon
to alleviate
their sicknesses
by taking it all
into my hollow
dreamchasm of hope

but there is a
rigidity within
the shadows
a telltale hint
that no matter
the desperation
no relief lies in
this haunted morning