Six Leagues Under

Can't help but wonder why,
While descending through the earth;
I condemned myself to this abyss.
The tortuous hordes adjoining,
Brandish ash strewn, paper rag torches,
To guide them down into this pit.

Trails call, drawing them in,
Alighting to the ferryman's call,
The mound of humanity resist,
Yet burst over the threshold,
They cling onto life,
But tumble towards the world beyond.

Anticipation shudders through the masses,
Glancing back and forth in fear,
Knowing soon the reaper will stow away,
Stowing soul upon retching, wretched soul,
To drown. Diving deeper. Drunk upon the dark.
Engulfing them amidst tangled wires.

And as the steersman slows his storm ridden vessel,
Hope transpires to the applause!
A clamour, a party salutes 'Welcome! Welcome!'
Or so it seemed. Dissipating as if precipitating,
Bodies slam against the mighty hull,
Only to be absorbed within this leviathan.

It rocks and creeks amidst a lightening aurora,
Crashing through the dark, ploughing,
As ancient bars protest against the condemned within.
And so the trudgeon trudges on,
Cattle aching for freedom,
Aching bones dream of green, vast pastures.

With a screeching shudder, it reaches a pause.
The flock stunned into silent stares,
Which utter 'Who will chance and leave?'
'Not me.' 'Nor me.' 'Not me.'
'Who take the first leap?'
'Not me.', 'Nor me', 'But me...?'

Now or never, the tide comes in,
The moon has shone and we can win!
One by one we escape, to run, to flee!
Until a clang. A yell of horror.
The dogs bark. Rounding with no sorrow.
I'm left as cargo as we ride again.

And ride I do, beneath this sea,
I daren't contemplate as I breathe this air.
This burnt air, shared by a thousand lungs.
This tortured air, stripped by a thousand miles.
This scolding air, detests mis-use a thousand times.
This air which once dreamt a thousand dreams.

As I dream. Of skies so navy in their hue.
Of grass migrations, spreading seeds.
Of shoulders to lend. Of sores to heal. Of grief to bare.
Of everything good. Even the bad.
Of their face by mine.
Telling me it's all fine.

Another holler. I seize my chance.
To dance against the flow.
To wherever I may go.
A smirk of shock. And so
'til I return. From above the land.
Yet again I'll ride.
Ride the underground.