Hell in a Shell
By
Miguel Venancio
I am a turtle in this cell, A hard and hollow shell That keeps me safe from hell. But hell is where I dwell, where demons lurk and yell.
I sleep and wake up daze, A nightmare or a fade. I pinch myself and pray, but nothing seems to change. Damn, I’m trapped in this dark maze.
I search for signs and clues, A prophecy or just a fool. I dream of different views, but all I see is doom, alone without a clue.
I watch the time go by, like a turtle or a high. Wondering if I’ll die in this shell of shame and lies as I’m scared to say goodbye.
But as one day I awake, so bold to face my time, I grow and learn to shine.
As I reflect on past memories of poverty, misery and racial disparity, a smile, aspiration and hope soon enlighten me. As freedom now seems like a real possibility.
But what am I going home to? Does anyone know? With patience and virtue, soon I would know.
I’m grateful for people like you. A stranger who took time to care. By helping me gain knowledge and the wisdom you shared. Now I write my life story and see maturity and critical thinking in me. Then I learned meditation and soon empathy and developed new tools and skills that set my mind to break free.
But to truly judge me or even understand me, first you must live in this shell of true misery. For only then you’ll know what it really feels to be me. All the pain, suffering and misery this shell still brings to me.
