Ascend
By DL
My worries make me upset
And my toils make me bitter
My heart always misleads me
But my blood pumps quicker
My soul has been drowned
And my wings have been clipped
I was once a glorious Angel
But now I roam the devil’s pit
Full of transgressions
Violence quenches my thirst
I know no one can find me
But I still seek to be searched
I bow my head in shame
As chains hold me to the ground
There are others just like me
But I can’t blend in with the crowd
Boils grow all over my body
As I get slashed with a whip
Pain gets lost in memory
As my bones become content
Tears turn into ashes
Skin turns into dust
But the light beckons for my attention
As GOD lifts me up
Dust turns into skin
Ashes into tears
My wings grow twice as big
As my soul reappears
As I ascend into the light
I take one last look at hell
I still know my battle awaits me
But with GOD I can never fail
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Wow, DL. This is an amazing poem. I just keep reading it over again. You are a writer. Sometimes it does seem like there is a lot of “hell” on this earth that we have to “battle” through. I am glad you see that God is lifting you up out of it. So don’t “bow my head in shame” because your soul is beautiful, loved and respected by God. Best wishes to you.
You are clearly a very talented writer, DL. I love how the poem begins in the deepest pits of despair, the darkest recesses of the mind, but ends with you growing your wings and reaching the light. It´s realistic too; you recognize that more battles await you, but now you´re ready for them and realize your own strength. The third stanza stands out to me the most– the evocative imagery of “violence quenches my thirst,” and the feeling of being totally lost yet still yearning to be found. I hope that the “others just like you” can read this poem and be inspired!
DL, this is such a powerful poem. Thank you for sharing. What really stands out to me is the imagery, and the transformation that you have go through the poem. Also, the allusions to the bible quote of “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” You describe your feelings and experiences with such vividness – you almost transport me. You are so hopeful and describe that so powerfully. You are truly an inspiration to others, through your poetry, and with your hope. Please keep writing, I cant wait to read more of your writing. – Emily
p.s. I also forgot to say that I love the title – it sets up the reader for a journey – like, you start out in such a horrible place, and with the title, you expect, ok, how are we going to get out of hell, and you guide the reader through to hope.
Also, I wanted to say how emotional this line is:”I know no one can find me
But I still seek to be searched” – because so many people may feel alone, and shameful, and lonely, and hurt, and angry at themselves and everyone around them BUT, we are all human and there is this kind of need to be wanted and searched for, that someone cares that you are missing and that someone sees value in you, and has a hope for you. This is what unites us all.
thank you for writing this. -Emily