This place pulls at the hollow void
residing within this broken chest.
Silence comforting, estranging,
tangling up thoughts with doubt,
teasing reason with fear.
Voices speak but the distracted ear
fails to hear the sweet sound
of life so tempting.
Mercilessly the heart beats on,
a deft leader of remaining in battle,
refusing to give up yet.
Pleading for respite,
the river flows on uncaring,
laughing at all attempts to end.

© Johanna Fugitt 2017