Rat Race

With no guns, no guards and no cuffs, I surrender myself to my cell- Through the blue panelled walls, I march frantically for that ever illusive future; through the labyrinth to my daily torture, Excited behind a mask for my brutal slaughter Day in, day out, I smile kindly to my fellow inmates; so eager for their own dose of beatings. Carrot dangling in their eyes; gleaming with hope, but backs are getting weary ,and the ground is wearing thin. Round and round, moving fast, going nowhere; caught in the wheel; with all my zeal, but standing still. I’ve been a trick for so long. Do they even know? I look at the time and count each hour as each hand whips the lashes on my back A call comes through; yet another one demanding assistance. I disappear in dreams of my departure just to keep my temper low. My tears flow steadily inward; but the grey stained carpet soaks them dry/invisible; leaving the grimness of my present reality on the floor to be trampled upon. The never ending rings deafen my screeching cries. I close my eyes and shut my ears.I should be somewhere else! "Hello,this is the helpdesk,I AM TALKING; how may I help you?” As if saying my name with resuscitate me to life, and remind me that my heart is still pounding. Did you not get my cry for help through and between the lines? Oh well, maybe the next one will listen more attentively. “... have a nice day, goodbye.” Copyright @ 14 July 2005