Our last
These shackles are all that I’ve come to know. They've told me the stories of those who wore them long before, and now my hands are here to comfort them.
The rust that covers them is the only inheritance left of the salt these men sweat before time outlasted them all. I sit here in solace and in company of their memories whispered to me by my cell.
Under the cold and dark I cross my legs as drops of water sing me their lullaby. And when I wake I stare out my window until the light impresses on my eyes, for the last thing I’ll see is the black night the grim hood will veil upon me.
Before they took me to my end, the light from my window sill bore a gift. Perched upon its frame settled the canary. For a moment, it sang. With every song of her's I followed with a smile as if to welcome my salvation. Perhaps, just for a moment I couldn’t be immured.
Beneath its wings was the world I once knew. Above it's golden yellow plume gleamed the rays that tanned my skin for the last time. The songs drew breath into my lungs long enough to foster my laugh because this world showed me love once more.
Although I suffered in silence, the canary had restored my heart. I know that it’s too much for you to bear, but virtue fell short of righteous, in this world I don’t belong. When time comes to cover us all I’m sure the stars will tuck us in. Only then will a new morning come to wake us once again.