by Michelle Greyham

Created on: February 08, 2011

Beyond the Threshold

Yet again I find myself at a threshold of life
But this time a thousand open, groping hands surround me
Beady, hawk eyes glare at me, following my progress

I stop and stare, uncertain. A hundred different paths
Lay themselves out at my feet
A simple look cannot tell me of their final destination

Behind me, bodies push relentlessly, impatiently forward

Already I have hesitated much too long for their liking
Pushing past, they draw my hovering form out with them

Confused, bewildered I follow the masses
Thick in their midst, I seek out protection
From forces, so much greater than I, that swarm around

Countless bodies litter the paths; the reek of Death
Wafts all around and the groans and pleas
Of the dying envelop and settle heavily

The buzzing of humanity drones steadily on
Sucking the life-force from all that pass through
Feeding and drinking and growing ever stronger

I fight and push along with everyone else
As I struggle towards an old unused path
Eventually I make it and in a lee-way I rest

Overgrown from years of dis-use
In bramble and weeds with thorns and stings
I hide myself where I can be safe, for a moment at least

I drop my guard, of it I have no further need
Relaxing and stretching I forget to beware
An ambush sneaks up, I’m caught unaware

Too late I wake up; my folly, my doom
Bound and gaged, I am dragged away
My body, my mind, is ravished and raped

Relentlessly, holding on tight to my life in both hands
To hand it over, I refuse to do
My upbringing comes back in a flash of clarity

Behind me I look, far yonder into the distance;
Deep down into the cob-webbed depths of my memory
Do I dig for The Key that will forever release my shackles

An unseen hand smites the surrounding tormentors
Chains clank and clatter as loosened they fall
Freely I step out into the open - unafraid, undaunted

A light, visible to but a few, guides me
To the path where I’m expected to be

Memories of evil wrongs are purged from the mind
‘Though emotion remains as a reminder and warning

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