Oblivious of his bonds, the man stands before the bench.
His senses muted, drowned by purling maternal sobs - tidal waves in the heart.

Beside him stand bailiffs, resolute as pallbearers.
Judgement is nigh, he knows.
The gavel rises, he closes his eyes.
A sonorous FOREVER booms a thunder clap of gavel explodes
Ricocheting off the cathedral ceilings.

Borne away, the deluge that is the wails of loved ones carries him like flotsam.
As the flood cedes a casing creaks, clanks.

His eyes open: dark, cold silent are the catacombs of forever.

- Joshua Little