Darkness Within by Wayne Russell

While there are those in the world that can not
show empathy towards their fellow humans.

While there are homeless living underneath
overpasses and sleeping in alleyways.

While there are hungry children scavenging
the remains of skip bins and trash cans.

While there are the lonely seated in ripped
upholstered chairs underneath dim lit lamps
baring their souls, a bloodletting upon paper.

And

While the ozone layer depletes and the forest
line recedes and the people go madder than
hatters, when the weary will kill for the sake
of it.

There is a darkness rising within this maniacal
tapestry, complexities woven in dark hemisphere.

There is a darkness within our hollowed chest,
unsatisfied at our plights, always unhappy with
it all, we have conquered everything, we have
nothing left but the darkness within.

Wayne Russell is or has been many things in his 48 years on this planet, he has been a creative writer, world traveler, graphic designer, former soldier, and former sailor. Wayne has been widely published in both online and hard copy creative writing magazines. From 2016-17 he also founded and edited Degenerate Literature. Just recently, the kind editors at Ariel Chart has nominated Wayne for his first Pushcart Prize for the poem Stranger in a Strange Town. "Where Angels Fear" is his debut e-book.