In the First Level of Hell

In the first level of hell
life trapped in a no man's land
where no plans can be made
except for those minutes
directly in front of me

In the first level of hell
round and round I go
running in circles
an ever deepening rut
of seemingly endless
disappointments

In the first level of hell
jumping over jumping over
catching air as I soar over
hurdle after hurdle
only to find another hurdle
to fly over

In the first level of hell
waiting waiting waiting
righteous anger with an unjust system
giving the illusion of progress 
undermining their own legitimacy
with apathetic and careless disregard
for those whose lives 
are tied to their actions or lack thereof

In the first level of hell
I found heaven
in friendship, in productivity
in comfort, in love
in patience, in grace
in living in the moment.