Here I stand
Pariah
Nose congested
Throat aching
Sunk in gloomy broodings
Friends departing
Friends distant
Friends offended
New friends out of sight
How have I earned this?
What ill have I done?
I am
What the world made me. I am
Alone
Alone with my thoughts
My world
Cold, dark, and small where I
Wait and wait
and wait
For someone to come in
Bearing a light. Wait
Hours and days and weeks
Drifting through unknown times
Wait
For that sure connection
That love and warmth
It is a hard time
A black night of the spirit
Wake me when this nightmare
Has ended.
George Chadderdon © 1998