Shadow Cast

By Lucy A.E. Ward

Raven black robes and feathers in her hair
silent hexes dripped from her fingers
like rain falling softly
without harsh whispers
or promises of hatred.

She carried ashes in her mouth
a remembrance of mourning
dark smeared skin
scarred like lace
time burned forever in her eyes

She would not forget our understanding
she would not rest amongst the dust
her feet bled as she walked the jagged path
beneath which faded fire flowed
in a lazy curve of devastation

In a moment of tragic realisation
she found the giant Serpentine
his copper blue scales hissing
as he writhed coldly about her
he slept as she wandered within his coils

And with her dirty fingers
she pulled my burnt and pin-stuck heart
from beneath her shadow cloak
spitting ashes upon its lonely spikes
pressing this unholy thing
upon the serpent's tongue
between his poison teeth

The great wyrm stirred in bitterness
sighing deep a marsh mist
her fever now forgot
replaced by guilty understanding
that burned so brightly in his mouth

With shaking rage and horror
Serpentine spread his ragged wings
scales falling like glittering embers
from his heavy, coloured beeswax skin
that slid slowly from inner shoulders
a man birthed from the giant's mouth
naked and helplessly shivering
his body as blue as the serpent
that he once was