The Great Escape Poem by Claudia Krizay

Although the songs the birds sing are
Melodious and benign and
Locusts joyfully repeat their summer's tune-
Leaves upon the trees are emerald and their limbs reach for the sky-
The grass has never been greener- and
Clouds contrast with the oceanic blueness of the sky- Even though
Summer would be the favorite time of year for so many people,
At this time this world has become a foreign and terrifying place to me.
My mind has been lost in the clouds,
Not within the fair clouds that decorate the sky, but
Within the ashen and sallow clouds of hell-
From the window of the vault that contains me
I can see people seemingly worshiping the sun,
However, to me the rays of the sun are somewhat blinding, if not otherwise
Brightening all that is terrifying to see-
Cars racing raucously down the streets without a care- and shining upon
All of the people who would wish me none but harm-
If I were to step outside in this moment-
The sun would sear my flesh and its rays would invade my mind in
A devastating and intrusive sort of way-
People would follow behind me mocking me and
Attempting to rob me of my thoughts as their eyes penetrate mine in
A criminal and invasive manner-
The songs the birds sing are indeed benign and sweetly melodious as
Locusts continue to hum their tune- these sounds are placating as
Are the sight of the grass, trees and the cobalt blue sky-
But somewhere along my journey through this life,
I was robbed of my own place in this world, as well as some have told me
I was deprived of my sanity-
If I could become one of these birds and lift my wings to fly away
High above to lose myself inside the beautiful clouds in the sky and to
Abandon the ashen clouds of hell- perhaps in the sky I would find another world there-
A world suited for me alone- I could still hear the birds and the locusts-
Chanting their tunes with the angels, unaware of the world below -as
My eyes would be blinded to people looking upward toward the sky.
The loss of my sanity would become a blessing because it would mean
I have finally found a place devoid of all harm and infringement because
When I lose myself inside the world of my thoughts and dreams,
The real world which is filled with evil, lack of compassion and cruelty
Totally disappears and I can be content as I have finally found freedom from fear…