it keeps him awake
night after night
few hours of sleep
does he quietly receive
it interjects into his
mind most unexpected
rousing him from
the land of slumber

ever
he bears the weight
ever
the tonnage remains
ever
unsettling his thoughts

there's no escaping the past
it's a persistent thing
he wrestles with guilt
and the grip cannot be unshackled
nor be readily unlaced

it rises during the night
in provocative ****
this be his damning load