The Padded Cell

In the corner of the padded cell,
I heard a feeble cry.
Not for the pain inflicted,
but for the will to die.

Who was I to be,
was all that he could say,
he banged his head against the wall,
a prayer to end his day.

The time was coming near,
only death did he have to fear.
Looking back on his past,
what little love he cast,
thinking not what his future could be,
the many things he could not see.

Not one soul did he learn to touch,
only to snatch away,
and now his time was coming soon,
his life would end today.

This retched soul a gift of life,
is what the preachers say,
but how can you show compassion,
when they give it all away.

what little choice life gives to you,
we never truly understand,
in which direction right or wrong,
we stand on sinking sand.

Within this conscious life does stem,
with desires we must fulfill ,
and for those of us who lose our way,
show them wisdom we can all instill.

Many believe it comes down to us,
but we all must stand beware,
For we may think our hearts are true,
but there are those who do not care.

For someday we may turn around,
and find that we are lost,
in the corner of a padded cell,
wondering...
was it worth the cost.

Diana Nelson
1/14/09