screams of a child
as she watches
her father die
and his blood spills

screams of the dark
as they drag
the body away
and feast on his bones

screams of an angel
as she falls
when the clouds open
clipping her wings

screams of the helpless
as they starve
their bodies crumble like ash
bones showing aging scars

screams of everybody
yet nobody hears
muffled by refusal
drowned by prayer

screams of the restless
knowing they will never sleep
hoping for death
so they can sleep forever

screams of ghosts
as they try to find their way
no hope for them
they are lost forever

screams of the forgotten
as they march a path
paved by death and loneliness
never to be remembered

screams of the living
when they look in the mirror
and see time take its toll
death releasing them from times hold

screams of the tortured
as they are left stranded
helpless to nature
reckless in their steps

screams of the poet
as he loses his mind
sanity never gained
lost in words he choked on