Author: Gary Beck Source: https://www.polseguera.com/writers/writing-421_mortal-coil.html Mortal Coil Mortal Coil is an unpublished poetry collection that grapples with the frailty of this conflicted life.   Traveler's Cares Perils of the deep concern fewer and fewer voyagers, since air travel obsoleted ships. We go from place to place faster, safer then ever before, and usually suppress apprehension, fears, until something reminds us of the perils of the sky.     Long Pent Confined to my cell in the dark prison of my heart, I endured for lifetimes, each day an anguish unrelieved by hope early extinguished by daily beatings.   I could not escape relentless assault that banished my soul, devoured my dreams.   Then my daughter was born. In the bright discovery of an unblemished life I was regenerated, rejoined humanity in a flood of feelings that melted the bars that kept me in isolation.   Love entered my heart, demanding an end to bitter exile.     Crimes Against Humanity The cry of pain we do not hear echoes louder in a child's mind long after physical affliction has passed. The scars real and remembered prevent forgetting of the harsh hands quick to abuse, slow to protect, that shattered forever the safety of childhood.     Service Rewarded A veteran of America's wars falls on hard times, overstressed from what he has seen, has done. He cannot keep a job, becomes homeless. When it gets too cold he goes to a shelter. During the night men rob him. He fights back, is stabbed, killed, by the enemy at home.     Another Season The first day of fall unnoticed by most in New York City, where it's just as warm as the last day of summer.   The usual madness reigns.   Today was leave your car at home day, in order to help the environment, yet traffic is heavier then ever.   The UN General Assembly started its annual meeting today, followed by hundreds of dignitaries indulging in extravagances at the expense of the U.S.A., while war, crime, poverty, disease continue to plague the world on the first day of fall.