you are met with a mirror… a reflection of you…
Many thanks to Regina Lee for her excellent submission. Regina is based in London and is a gifted poet who very kindly decided to share her work. Hell invites us to consider the trauma of a tormented soul.
Hell
I have not been to hell.
But let me tell you
How I imagine it to be.
–
Thoughts.
Thoughts thoughts thoughts thoughts thoughts.
Thoughts that tear into the flesh and infest the mind
These thoughts, they have found a breeding ground
Optimal conditions. Multiplication. Infestation.
You did wrong.
Physical exhaustion; the body slumps like a dead man
Shot and left for days, eyelids drooping.
But thoughts thoughts thoughts thoughts thoughts
Keep the heart beating.
Beating.
Beating.
Beating.
Beating.
Raging.
Heaven would be where the nightmare ends,
But there is no such luxury known as sleep.
You cannot awaken.
–
Hunger.
There will be food.
Glorious food. A banquet. Ready.
There will be some comfort in this.
Familiarity. You vaguely recall a day
Your loved ones welcomed you home to feast and
For a fleeting moment you remember
happiness
Starving, the gut ringing from the hollow
You reach out to take a bite.
But a lump in the throat blocks
Every single particle from reaching
All the places that need to be filled.
Food.
It cannot satisfy your aching hunger.
–
Pain
At times, others will join you
Smiling, eyes wide open
They will stand in a circle.
Surrounding you,
They will chant “I care, I care, I care”.
You find solace in this. There are others who will share your pain.
But when lightning strikes and the thunder ROARS
Only your body is chosen by the skies
Agony. The roaring thunder deafens their ears to your pain.
They smile and chant “I care I care I care” as your face contorts in despair.
No one will share the pain.
–
Exhausted
You will crawl to the light.
Somebody
Something
God
Please
Please
Stop this
Please
–
“You need to learn”
–
A voice appears. You turn around to face your opponent
But you are met with a mirror
A reflection of you
“Learn. Learn. Learn. Learn. Learn”
–
And you feel the whole cycle beginning again
Thoughts thoughts thoughts thoughts thoughts
Remorse
–
I have not been to hell.
But I lost you.
And that is close enough.
Regina Lee, London
Did you enjoy this poem? Why not visit Maggie’s website at: Maggie’s Centre Nottingham to find out more about their exceptional work and/or make a donation. Do you have a poem you would like to submit to Voices? Feel free to do so by email at: voicespoetry@outlook.com or via the ‘Contact’ page on this site.
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