Escape

Waking in this dark, dank cell
I realize that I was only dreaming
About eating a grape,
But the sun starts to rise and tell
Me through the bars that I’m not sleeping,
And there is no escape.

The patrolling guard in his black outfit,
Taunting the prisoners in their cages as he goes by,
Stops at mine and dangles the keys at me
As though I were the helpless ape.
I hear the bell and siren, which I can’t stand a bit,
The cell doors open, but I know this is a lie.
They will not let us flee,
There is no escape.

The first meal is served
And the prisoners are herded
Back to their cells,
The cell doors close
And we are caged once more.
Many prisoners got what they deserved,
But I was only a mangy pickpocket
Who stole too much, so the Judge tells.
There is nothing to do, so I dose,
Hoping to dream of an open door.

I awake and wait for the second meal.
I lay and ponder
“What is freedom?”
“What is happiness?”
I sweat as I realize I don’t know,
I’ve been caged for twenty years.
This is such a rotten deal,
To have to live and suffer
A life of boredom,
A life of loneliness.
Soon I will see pearly gates glow,
And I will escape this life of tears.