Thanks agmoore. Yes I can go dark... quite often to be fair. It's part of my experience and personality. You know what they say, "write what you know".
I'm glad you saw the redemption at the end. I sit of wanted it to be an analogy for how many people live in this blinkered state of delusion, not seeing the hope that is all around them. Thanks for you comment :-)
I grew up in a quite dark universe--I think I've been rebelling against that darkness all my (very long) life. Always looking for green sprouts--think we have one in you. Keep writing. I'll keep reading:)