Eternal Hope Lost 

I reached for heaven with bleeding emotions, 
the cascade of bright feathers stained rust 
by bitter wounds weeping. 
Heaven refused me. 
I fell forever, falling into the arms of one who cared. 
He smiled, but in an instant was taken from me. 
I screamed, the shreiking litany of a war wraith, 
My battlecry was lost in the thunder 
of masochistic stormclouds. 
I sit silent, chafing at the yoke of awareness, 
staring forever in dull eyed unfeeling 
Watching blood drip from beneath rusted shackles 
Binding me to reality. 
The once bright feathers now drift on the wind, 
Ragged, beaten, unkempt, 
Slain by naked tears and aloneness, 
The battering winds of malice 
Ripping away pennants of hope... 
I never was an angel, 
Just a child with broken wings. 

Sydney Maddox, 4/3/01