Here, 
it is so dark 
even in opening my eyes 
I cannot see 
me 
or 
anything else 
and 
especially not God. 
This 
world within the world** 
from which only I can break free – 
but how? 
Here,
my feet are shackled to pain 
my arms weighed heavily with worry; 
this 
world within the world** 
that I have made 
my throne 
from which I cannot flee, 
for I have crowned my 
self 
master, king, chief 
of this tribe of one 

– and it has become dangerously cozy** – 

for here 
I need not care for another 
or 
set aside my wants for your needs. 

Here, 
I need only 
feed me. 

Why on earth would I ever want to break free? 

Well, 
for starters, 
it is so dark I cannot see 
– not even me!  



*See John 1:5 and 1:48
**With thanks to Oswald Chambers’ writing in My Utmost for His Highest, November 10th entry