Thwarted

I

I slump my way through the labyrinth of grey
Through chilled corridors, my eyes on the floor
At my feet a spiral staircase. I pause, before
ascending faster than I can walk
The air becomes thin, I breathe.
I breathe the air from here to the stars,
Air that twists into a silvery hand which
eases down my throat, I swallow, and the hand
reaches into my stomach, and wriggles the knot free.

I am the top of the watchtower. I look up.
Above me are tangible stars and woven cloud.
My searchlight eyes aim downwards. Below me
I see scathing faces in jostling crowds.
Faces like mine, with pinpricked eyes that
Only see what the mind has already concluded.

They seek out differences, but are of the same mould,
They scorn for pride, but lose it in the fray
Which comes first, the night or the day?
I observe the futility, and I’m painted with shame
Below I’m a convict, but a judge all the same.
Why form a court to judge one another
To scrutinise your blood, to torment your brother with
Laws made afresh to punish ways of old.

Here I speak freely; the inmates can’t hear me
Speak out down there and be tried for treason
And with a sigh, I descend from my own blue moon
That lingers as long as a breath in the winter.
Ive left what I’ve learned in the unknowable place,
I come back not with a walk, but a tumble from grace.

II

I drop from the final step, and the staircase
Vanishes. I breath out, and wispy silver
Rises against the grey flagged stone.
Freedom is tangible. I must tell the others.

Buoyed by lingering clarity, I walk.
Willed by tactile freedom, I stride.
Atonement lies within, and I must
Pardon the others, whose only crime is being.

I fly through the stony labyrinth. I pause
At the sight of a man A statue in an
Orange jumpsuit, covered by a charcoal
Blazer, his face just evades the moonlight.

Acknowledging him would suffice, but no,
I can free us both. He steps forward and
Snarls at my with his eyes. I smile;
'There is a way out, and I've seen it.'

Bitterness tugs at his mouth. 'Fool,' he spits.
'Please', I implore, 'let me show you.'
'Ive been where you have,' his facing erupting radically,
'Everyone here is guilty, and that is the reality.'

'No', I retort, 'what crime did you commit?'
'Everyone is guilty. Don't ever doubt that.'
Shame seizes me, shakes me, once more I am
Guilty.