There are some crimes that cannot be forgiven. (1st Place Stormy's Poetry April 2011) |
The Detached There are some crimes against mankind that cannot be forgiven. Those who dare to cross the line find all their hopes are riven. They are condemned to walk this plane though death sets them apart. Their hatred marks them as the bane of every human heart. Blackened with time, the worn tombstones, tilting from disregard, reveal the site of decaying bones like sentinels on guard. As darkness falls, the hallowed ground expels these aged ghosts. Vile memories, that have no sound, move onward to their posts. They steal beyond the undergrowth to grassy, tree lined streets. They're guided by an arcane oath that never changes or repeats. They choose only the innocent, much like they did in life. They whisper of their discontent spreading their evil strife. They devour dreams of sadness with rancid, fetid breath, and vomit forth their madness in joyful hymns of death. Infectiously, the seeds of doubt sown in the midst of night, find purchase and begin to sprout and spread darkness's blight. Intolerance and selfishness, greed and gluttony, spread until we each possess hatred's capacity. The walls we build are made of rock mined from the devil's hall. In anger we chose not to talk; pride comes before our fall. The evil returns to its grave; there's no need to stay attached, for we have become the enslaved; we are The Detached. Notes An entry in "Stormy's poetry newsletter & contest" [ASR] for April 2011 Prompt: Must use the words undergrowth, doubt, aged, worn, grassy, rocks, blackened, chose. riven – torn apart. Thank you for taking time to read my words. I would appreciate it if you took a moment and left a comment. Your reaction, impressions, criticisms, - yes, even praise - are all equally welcome. Ken |