A Land of Drought

I once thought there was silence
It was quiet once, long ago
Now all I hear are the screams
The only sound the crack of the whip
I remember the quiet sometimes
It was a burbling brook, fast moving
I feel the pain to my very bones
Pain withers my mind and my thoughts
I once thought there was water
It was cool and wet, long ago
Now all I feel is the parching heat
The only water is mud in the ditch
I remember the streams sometimes
It was a roaring river, engulfing all
I see the suffering all around
It grips tight my heart
I once thought there was shade
It was dark and cold, long ago
Now I see only the blinding, burning sun
The only shade is from the mass of dead
I remember the trees sometimes
It was a rustling breeze, carrying a storm
I was once alive but that time has come to pass.
It was a life, long ago
Now I have all I ever wanted
The only thing missing is the pain
I remember the pain sometimes
It was crippling and devastating
I am now gone away from pain
I wait to be joined by those no longer in pain.
Here there is silence and water and shade.
There is no pain now.