—written while listening to the CD, “Fallen,” by the pop-rock band Evanescence especially late in the night...

————

Immortal lines of loss, immortal lines of tears,

I've lived in solitude these long dark, dreary years;

in childhood and in youth, I've been baptized by hell

and anointed by heaven (as from a twin spell).

In a world of the lucent and well-loved, alone

have I observed the rituals of worship unknown;

and recognized (in solitude) that all of life

is turmoil, struggle, and perpetual inner strife.

O self! Were I only a god of my own making,

I'd loose heaven in you; and thus end this painstaking,

this stretching of my soul (this breaking of my mind!?)

beyond snapping back till there's nothing left to find.

On the expressway of my life, I cruise alone

with no end of the line in sight but the headstone:

for all being is an enmity, a sick sad dream,

where loneliness is like a phosphor, yellow stream!

By Ngoc Nguyen

From: United States