I cannot function in the world today.
Life’s keeping all my feelings bottled up.
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

My mind is full of many words to say.
How well I know the pressure building up.
I cannot function in the world today.

My heart insists it feels a better way.
And deep within my soul is burning up.
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

The darkest night is taking me away
And forcing me to see the wounds show up.
I cannot function in the world today.

There’s freedom at the breaking of the day,
But one persistent thought I can’t give up:
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

Yet older than the mind, my Spirit wakes!
And I pour out this stale and empty cup…
I cannot function in the world today;
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

—
A villanelle for day 21 of NaPoWriMo.

Related

Breaking Point

Lenten Mischief