A HEART OF DESPAIR

WHEN THE COCK CROWS
SOUNDING THE ALARM
OF ANOTHER DAY,
OUT OF THE FOG OF SLEEP 
MY STRENGTH FADES AWAY.

JUST THE THOUGHT 
OF HAVING TO RELIVE
THE BURDENS OF YESTERDAY,
OVERWHELMS MY HEART,
WITH CONTINUED DESPAIR.

I SEE ONLY DARKNESS AHEAD OF ME,
ALL THE HOPE, LAUGHTER, AND JOY, 
IN MY SOUL, HAS BEEN CARRIED AWAY 
WITH THE LONESOME BREEZE.

I FEEL INVISIBLE TO THE WORLD,
WITH NO DESIRE TO BREATHE,
O! THAT DEATH HAD SHOWN MERCY ON ME
WHILE I SLEEP,
AND STILL MY HEART 
FROM SUCH CONSTANT STRESS 
AND INTENSE AGONY.

WILFORD BARKER.