By Shawn Petrie-Hallen
1-29-2016

How can you compare loss and hate
When the two things so closely relate
To one another without debate
In a twisted conformist violent state

How can you compare pain and grief
Standing alone in disbelief
Begging for mercy from the agony chief
Alone on this day of cold reprieve

How can you compare trust and love
When the skies look empty up above
And behind your back you can feel the shove
And the punishment fits you like a glove

by shawn petrie-hallen
2-5-2018

for 1,000 years i’ve been
sitting here, all alone
with my mind on fire
waiting to be set free

what more is there for me
after all the running around
after all the countless hours
after all the tears

at the end of 1000 years

for the longest night
i’ve been laying awake
wondering why i cannot rest
1000 nights frustrated

like all of you that i look upon
all routines so flawless
where will i end up once i have emptied
the last drip of sanity from my cup

my mind is filled with fright
for this and all of my remaining nights
from this monent forward
for 1000 years