Lifelong Punishment (Huitain)

by Meena Krish

Happiness grows and comes to play
but draws back into a dark cage
without compassion mistakes slay
as past comes visiting with rage,
shame halts confession upon page
each day wilts away in torment,
memories locked with merciless image
becomes a life long punishment

A Huitain has 8 lines. Each line has 8 syllables only.
Lines 1 and 3 should rhyme
Lines 2,4,5 and 7 should rhyme
Lines 6 and 8 should rhyme