The ground I step on turns to marsh

I’m a broken bottle

on the pavement, shattered,

I stand in their midst as

they smile, laugh and natter,

I keep shtum, suffocate,

Look on and waste away,

Disgrace etched on my face,

I stopped calling for help,

My throat has become parched,

My bones are in despair,

My bones weary within me.

I no longer walk; I wade through waters waist-high.

I am a dry forest,

No trees, only thorns and briars,

Withered, spent, dry as lime,

Anguish consumes me as a fire,

I am faint, I am agony,

How long Lord? How long?

I drench my sleeves from crying,

and flood my pillow with tears,

The forest is filled with my fears,

Strength is sapped as in the heat of summer,

I am too weary to even whimper,

How long? Lord, how long?

My heart is in distress,

My heart fails within me.

The waters have come up to my neck.

I crossed too many lines,

I missed too many marks,

I may as well die now,

Stroll straight in to the grave,

I look to God to save,

But I come up empty,

Love has changed to contempt,

But I still have one friend,

Darkness stays near till the end,

My soul is in dismay,

My soul weeps within me.

The flood engulfs me.

God, what could I bring you?

You own more than the world,

All that I can bring you

is a broken spirit,

a heart that is contrite,

These I know you won’t spurn,

No hope could I earn,

I am poor and needy,

Save me. Save me. Save me!

I drown in the deluge; God, save me.