"ONE"
 by:  P.J. Sutherland

 The walls close in and I am alone
 Alone with my thoughts, my dreams, my fears
 No one can hear my silent screaming
 Or see evidence of bitter tears
 

 Here I lie in my solitary woe
 With old guilt's to keep me company
 I must escape from this chamber
 Before secrets of the dark find me
 

 I cannot be alone, closed off
 Must be free to soar among the stars
 Never a trapped bird in a cage
 Beating tired wings against the bars
 

 I need to feel the surging power
 Of  Voyager beneath my touch
 Her graceful beauty mine to control
 Never have I needed her so much
 

 Locked in this sleek coffin-like box
 Away from the warmth of friendship
 From the sweetness of B'Elanna's love
 Even from casual companionship
 

 I can not stand this silence any more
 Hopelessly I scream "Help me, Seven"
 Still aloneness closes in on me
 In desperation "Help me, Seven"
 

 Freed at last from my purgatory
 I stretch and fill my lungs with air
 Once more the dark secrets are hidden
 And my expression devil-may-care
 

 Now awake with my friends around me
 I no longer remember my fright
 Or even why I hate confinement so
 Fear fled with the coming of the light 

Email:  PSuther998@aol.com