Purgatory Poem by John Allen Richter

Tender ears, hear the quiet.
Enjoy the sound of nothing.
Let it surround your heart and
soothe your soul.
Swim within its peace -
drown within it if you like -
and avoid the din of this hateful world.

Blackness take me,
void this life and memory -
Pray thee God, oh thou great,
my Lord, my Master,
my Tormentor -
Release my soul from this cocoon!
This cacophony of evil!

And I will repent forever more,
for whatever it is that brought me here.
Except that to suffer fools....
For those who suckle the witch's breast,
should stay here forever -
In this Purgatory we call life....