The Walls Have Spies (Poetry)

There’s strangers living in these walls
they spy me through the brick
watch me struggle — log weak calls
for strength to end it quick

The room is seething pity-deep
with wrecks of long-dead friends
who crowd in close — demand I keep
rough notes to make amends

I’ve tidied nightmares in a box
put all past pain away
but ghosts can’t be contained by locks
and someone has to pay

Upon my head a price is set
too dark for me to read
I can’t conceive the size of debt
fear cuts until I bleed

The vengeful shadows jostle round
they form a ragged queue
and cast their stones without a sound
love wounds me — through and through

I wear no armour to protect
my aged and weary heart
mine is the flesh those ghosts dissect
and lately rip apart

I’ve searched for signs but found not one
small hope for a release
accept whatever’s done is done
no promise then of peace

And there’s no secret place to hide
they’re watching me for sure
a time bomb ticks away inside
no chance of any cure