We never get to say goodbye
never a wave or a cry
never a kiss with a promise
a wish with a dream
for better days to come

We never get to scream
with fear or contempt
it mocks us instead
as silence as the lambs
we pitter patter away

At night,
those screams become real
a persona alone
they haunt & taunt,
midnight expresses
running through the hours
tick tock tick tock

Naming the voices heard
rocking lullabies to
babies within
soothing the noises
rampant & raging,
begging for a voice
a simple cry of a tear

Knock, knock,
who is there?
the lover
the hater
grace
virtue
anger
or despair?

Sliding down the cell wall
the bottle of torment
cold slated floors
creatures crawl, linger,
loiter, drain
abstain
refrain.

© Sia Jane