words confined within ivory prison
slowly eroding sandstone halls
so firecely do they seek their freedom
despite the fear that built the dam
a vain attempt to lock them up
like a levee designed to hold back water
not enough when they breach the top
the flood will search out every weakness
surging wildly over landscapes
until the last of the raging torrent
has crashed through every crevice
and breaks down fragile walls
only in that moment
will the waves recede
and finally stop
gates clenched tightly
to forestall releasing
until the storm has blown itself to nothing
only then will it be safe
to cautiously let them out
slowly eroding sandstone halls
so firecely do they seek their freedom
despite the fear that built the dam
a vain attempt to lock them up
like a levee designed to hold back water
not enough when they breach the top
the flood will search out every weakness
surging wildly over landscapes
until the last of the raging torrent
has crashed through every crevice
and breaks down fragile walls
only in that moment
will the waves recede
and finally stop
gates clenched tightly
to forestall releasing
until the storm has blown itself to nothing
only then will it be safe
to cautiously let them out