They look this way

I shudder in the cold

Talons through ice

Tearing and crawling

Beneath, all bleed

 

This dress, those laces

His beard,

Her beard…

Moving masses of eyes

Wielding icepicks

Drenched, glittering tears

 

It’s all one big competition,

The reluctance of the players,

Inconsequential,

Fight to the death,

Or alone, in the shade

 

Gasping for fire

Drawing the scars

Counting the names

Pinching the flaws

Grappling for stars

 

This purgatory before life,

Where players get played,

Fighters are beaten, too aggressive.

Beauties, mutilated by invisible knives,

Ice cold, the cuts deep, un-healing blood,

Not “strong” enough.

 

The future of the world

It lays bleeding, whimpering.

Wings can be unfurled,

A hymn for flame

Through waves of grain, singing

 

Empower, it’s a word

To live, an act

One takes time, strength.

Embers without time, makes only coal

Left for others to burn