Hell

They told her hell was hot
fires burning in the night.
A thousand dreadful demons
taking pleasure in your plight.

They told her hell was hopeless
it was just too much to bare.
She imagined all the souls resigned
to eternity’s despair.

They told hell was somewhere else
and for those who don’t believe.
She shudders now at the chilling thought
that she was so naive.

She knows now you can’t see the beast
and hell only burns with ice.
She knows the reason’s seldom clear
for why you pay the price.

She knows that hell is filled with hope
that you can’t help reaching for.
That you beg and plead and pray to God
But he’s not there to implore.

She knows that hell surrounds her
It’s right here on this land.
But she doesn’t know her sins
She doesn’t understand.

She’s standing here consumed
dreams shattered all about.
What callous fiend would leave her faith
that she can still get out.


Patricia Gibson-Williams
November 6, 2005