It's cold and it's dark
And I have to jump in the water
The thought of this being my very last breath haunts my mind
As the icy cold breath of death touches the back of my neck

I have to jump in the water
And I know I have lived the expression, blood, sweat and tears
The marks on my back show just how hard I work
Work that has lasted for years

One meal a day just isn't enough
And I count those hours until I can eat again
These hours are starting to mock me now
And I can't wait to get back in the den
So I can eat again

The thought of my family fades
They aren't here when I shed a tear
When it rolls down my cheek
Off my chin, down my neck
Wishing it would be wiped away
By the hand of my mother

I have learned to wipe away that tear on my own
To not even wait for it to roll down my cheek
Still hoping that their hands will be there
To wipe it away one day

Every time I jump in the water
My heart begins to pound like a stone being hit by a hammer
And I dream of freedom, a secure blanket that lies on me
Filled with love, hope and peace

One day as dawn touches my eyes
A hand touches my shoulder
And a voice says, “Come with me, child,
it is all over.”