Tears of happiness once soaked my skin,
A refreshing rain from within.
Since they have dried, draining all warmth,
Now laughs of sorrow chill visions of strength.
That whore luck has bought me cheap,
And seduced the boy forever he was.
Pangs of hunger, knowing of grief,
The hangman nervously waits,
For his supper he is late.
Drops of light fall through the night,
And splash my lips in tastes of sweet.
The denser dark now swallows up all,
Gulping and laughing, a joy stained wall.
Screams of hope are drifting away,
An empty echo for all who stay.
Hollow minds unfilled of thought,
Shout virtue and praise to a world bought.
Those who love await the day,
When the Savior of burden will take theirs away.
Know they not that heaven and hell,
Within the mind of life doth dwell?
James K. Richardson