could see the wall’s slats
where plaster had fallen off
and could hear strange sounds
could also feel the cold air
warning me to stay covered
to remain in this old place
not to tempt the fates
accept the dead bird in hand
like some before me
languishing in lifeless rooms
accepting death before death
mindless survival routines
sanctioned by the church
and other corporations
for the good of all
according to marketing
but what was outside the walls
now here’s the surprising part
outside the first walls
is another set of walls
actually a maze
so once you feel you are free
you find that you’re still walled in
at least with a better view
You capture that past unease so precisely that the reader is there with you. Beautiful writing.