Something is howling in the shadows
Calling me from the recesses of my mind
I was left to the variety of my own devices
The others unaware they are the tools of self destruction

Who possesses the courage to knock at Hell's gate?
Have they not seen the moat brimming with horrid nightmares?
The act is such a daring feat that I am left pondering my own bravery
Have I the tenacity to answer?

The banging continues, echoing from halls long empty
The sound is so strange to me, so foreign and forgotten
My heart is thundering in my chest, has it remained all this time?
I assumed from lack of use it would have rotted in its carcass

But the pounding is too deafening too mistake and too familiar to ignore
The roaring of blood through my ears cannot just be illusion
I gather myself from the hardwood floors, clutching to my skeletal keys
The anticipation shakes my silhouette, my palms slick with perspiration

It has been many a year since someone has paid a visit
Most have abandoned me to the wolves of my thoughts
Saying there is no hope for me....
No reprieve...no redemption....

I grasp tightly to the notion, to their haunting words
There is no hope for me...no reprieve...no redemption
I repeat this to myself, going slowly in my stride
No hope...no reprieve...redemption..what is hope?

I pause before the door, my bosom aching with...something
There is no hope for me...no reprieve...no redemption
I grasp tightly to this notion, not willing to believe
What is faith? What is forgiveness? What is hope? What is hope?

I creak open the door, breath unsteady, unstable
I fear I may become deaf for my heart screams from its prison
Give me hope! Give me reprieve! Give me redemption!
I peek from the crack, eyes wide and glassy

Only to toss it aside with a strength I never knew I possessed
Only the sound of my thoughts rushing to and fro could be heard
In the doorway stands......



No one.....

Only the whispering words........

No hope......

No reprieve....

No redemption........