excavation

In this cage, blood alone  
will not break this bondage
it takes sweat  
to excavate the key
that fits the lock
 
we can salivate
like a rabid dog  
pushing against the bars
our ears ringing  
with our own voice
beaten down  
by the bouncing echo
 
our teeth will not gnaw
through this curse
we'll break by the weight  
of our chains first
 
and our mile long howl  
on the way down
will do us no good
 
we have to dig
all writers do