Contrition

Taken alone a street numbered

Nowhere away from the fires of home

Bagged and afraid one life in the

Balance a family lies trembling alone

Laying in a place where time has no meaning

As marked by the chalk in the cell

Nobody speaks to questions unanswered

Restrained and alone left to tell

So much for tentative displays of contrition

(Never seen again)

Separated from the world we loved so well

(Never again)

The word we loved so well

(This is the last time I'm ever alone)

No use in praying

Shacked in chains defiance remains

As the days stretch to torturous years

With each acrid dawn the world soldiers on

With the broken and driven to tears

I remember my soul running freely

Away from these cages and lies

The smell of the air, the laughter of children

Keep one breath of hope left alive