Author Information
Collapse
Abyssal depths, I just let go,
Fall past my future, into the present.
I awake screaming, cold sweat.
Eyes roll back I pass back out,
Just to wake up to life.
I douse my head in freezing water,
Look at myself in the mirror.
Twisted face, bent mind.
I turn my eyes away from it.
More cold water runs through my veins.
I open the drawer containing my mask,
Put it on for the wandering masses.
Outside I step, into the fading light.
The pale blue sky painted with orange clouds.
Under the moon, I’m dancing with delight.
Then stop, and look over at the crowds.
They don’t move.
I weave in and out of them,
Dancing as I do.
Laughing in their faces, sad lonely lives.
My life poses as a base for theirs.
I stop laughing, now just stare.
In and out I weave, measuring their glances.
I touch their faces, gathering their emotions.
I go back to the shadows in the street lights.
I curl up but don’t take my eye off of them.
My eyes slowly close, I shake myself awake.
The scales of ice fall to the ground.
Shatter with my heart.
Tears freeze to my face, my breath grows thick.
I feel the icy hands on my shoulder.
I look up to meet death.
The crowds move with the morning light.
He gives me a hand up.
I put my arm around his shoulder,
He looks back at me.
I look once more at the land I leave.
Slowly I remove my mask.
I throw it to the ground
And watch it as it freezes,
The explodes in a bubble of shattered ice.
A scream tries to leave my lips,
Only fog comes out.
My tears stop flowing.
I accept the inevitable.
He takes my hand,
We walk into the shadows
And I try to escape him.
He gives no choice just keeps his hand open.
The only person, who cared enough to.
I saunter back, place my hand, and smile.
I let loose an abounding laugh
That echoes from every rocky gorge.
Almost ironic. Almost unfortunate.
He take me to a boat. We cross Styx.
The whole time I’m laughing.
So relieved, so free in death.
Even he laughs a little.
Dust escapes his breath.
My heart crystallizes in the cold.
I get off the boat, he leaves.
I walk along the beach in the darkness.
The water lapping at my feet.
I lean down and let myself fall into it.
Freezing. My heart slows and stops.
I don’t stop though. I laugh under the water.
I take off my shoes and shirt,
Slowly walk into the abounding cold.
Ice surrounds me as I walk in.
I break it but it grows back.
I am surrounded by the white mass.
I take a breath, then it covers my face.
My lungs feel like exploding.
Then my eyes haze.
I still don’t die. Death comes back.
He breaks me free. I come out of the ice,
Go back to shore shuddering.
He pats my back. Then leaves.
I rest upon the rocks, catch myself.
I lay for minutes, an eon passes.
Alone I lay for long.
Visits from him scattered every now and then.
I leave the beach.
Walk further into the darkened shadows.
I lose myself, cant find the beach again.
Lost the sound of the waves.
And so for years I’ve wandered.
Trying to find another soul.
Yet to fail, still alone, I rest amongst the webs.
The make their homes in my soul.
Then I find a body.
Not like mine for this is dry and dead.
I wait by it for days.
I hear a step, a gentle step.
Then feel like I am fainting.
I see someone, but cant make out,
If it is death or another.
I lay back, my hand reaching out.
I feel the touch, not of bone but skin.
I smile, then die.
I awake in my own bed.
Scream covered in a cold sweat.
I go outside into the failing light.
My mask inside on the dresser.
I watch the people frozen in time.
I sing and dance among them.
I feel the cold coming on,
See death, go with him.
Back to the cavernous lake, and see the shore.
I leap from the boat into the subzero water.
I reach the rocks, and see the person there.
Smiling, I reach out, touch hands.
Smiling back, I look back at death, he nods.
I feel warmth, blinding light.
Am accepted into heaven for I have found true feeling.
I know the feel of life. I give on last glance.
Collapse.
