Blameless

I'm trapped
I don't know how
I got here.
Or why.
I've slowly lost hope
of regaining my sanity.
Small metal cage,
just enough room to
stand or turn around.
I have regular meals
and plenty of water,
but no appetite.
The food is hard and
tasteless, anyway.
I nibble to survive,
though what is the point?
I'm stuck here.
I hear others.
They seem to be in
the same predicament as me.
I spend my time lying around.
Occasionally, someone will walk by.
I yell and reach for them,
but I am ignored.
What did I do to deserve this?
Nothing that I can think of.
I start to cough.
With so many like me,
it's hard to stay healthy.
I'm forced medicine,
but I don't think it's working.
I'm getting worse.
I never move anymore.
I've given up.
Only now do they take me out.
Finally, fresh air.
But I am just moved
to a different room.
My new cage is bigger,
but I have no energy to care.
More medicine that doesn't work.
I get better, softer food,
but I have even less appetite than before.
I feel restless.
I start to pace feverishly.
I can't sleep.
Soon after, they move me again.
This new room reeks of fear,
of sickness and death.
I see a small pile of bodies.
I prayed I wouldn't join them.
They lie me on a table
and stick a needle in me.
I hear someone speak.
"Poor guy, so young!
He didn't have a chance."
This new medicine seems to be working.
I already feel better, even happier.
I close my eyes and
finally get some rest.



(c) Samantha Davis
October 6,2010