My Father, You Are in Heaven?

My father, you are in heaven.
Grasp it I pray, this weary hand
Whose knuckles black from shadows and
Are cracked and cry from icy wind.

Father, oh my father!
Release me from this prison sorrow,
This long-done soul who seeks tomorrow,
The freeing crack of his crab shell hollow.

Father, oh my father!
I grip steel bars in zealous passion
And clang my cup at your wingéd freedom.
They say your flaps are silent phantoms,
But hoist me now and be you visible!

Father, oh my father,
Heed me from this cell!
It's cave-length-deep
And shines light cheap,
I beg, at least,
You come and visit.

Descend upon my mind at rest
Take not these sobs as grand offense
For the day awake I cannot bear
These bloody knuckles, cold, and stale

Father, oh my father,
You are in Heaven?
I pray you then, beseech me!
This abysmal grip is choking
And shallow be my prayer.

Father, oh my father!
Forgive me…my apologies!
My sense had then escaped me;
No soul, once spoiled, escapes free
From far beneath the soil.