Swollen

Swollen

Shut partway

liquid dams up and spills over the bridge

the pressure too great

for the wall to withstand

and it crumbled

piece by piece into the

icy river below

it rose up over the tired banks

and into worn houses

asking for strength

for determination

but emptiness greeted it,

vast and unforgiving

creeping coldly into the corners

to find strays

that did not

belong.

The dam now burns

the wall fallen

dry and hot in the bleeding sun

death and fire approach

life has moved to another home

one that does not keep it quiet

or shut it away

but sets it free, flowing

swiftly into the streets,

and slowly under mossy carpets

to gain

life

of its own.
 © Amanda Hall

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