Steel strikes steel
as countless dancing blades
kiss beneath a moonless sky.
Sparks are born
shrieking forth from the sword’s cold caress
like comets burning through indigo skies
to illuminate crimson mists below.
I walk naked through the field
shoved and punched by gauntlets
sliced and stabbed by swords
stared at and glared at
by eyes colder than steel.
For a moment I close my eyes
quivering in the blood-soaked grass
dodging the stomp of steel boots
grasping for the slightest sliver of moonlight.
Then I leap to my feet
and scream in silence
to the Earth underfoot
for an end to it all.
Soon
soil becomes stone
and the walls rise around me
lifting me in a spiraling tower
like the wings of an eagle
offering a bird’s eye view
where no blade can touch me.
Night evaporates into dawn
and I see the world
from a new perspective.
Swords still swing
slicing flesh and bone
scattering broken bodies
at my feet.
But now
the world is bathed in light
and I can see their faces
twisting and burning
with a glimmer of sun in their eyes
looking for the path through the din
slicing each other to pieces
in search of it.
I follow their eyes
and far in the distance
I see a forest on the shore
waiting for them to return.
But they can’t see it
through the fog
of steel sparks
and crimson haze.
The sun dies on the horizon
and the shadows walk below
lending strength and speed
to each swing of steel.
But then the moon rises
a slight sliver
shivering in the sky
and I see its reflection
shining silver on the ocean.
I scream from my tower
but no one can hear me.
With my bare knuckles
I pound at the walls.
Stone is stronger than bone
but bone heals faster
and as night turns to day
and day into weeks into months
the walls crumble
and the tower tumbles
toward the battle below.
I leap through the air
as though my shoulders
were graced with wings
but I fall naked to the Earth
surrounded by slicing steel
and boiling blood.
At first
the walls rise again all around me
to hold back the blades
and dampen the flames.
But then I feel the fire
and the walls explode
all around me.
One by one
blades descend on me
like ravens on a corpse
and every touch of steel
eviscerates me
like the eagle of Prometheous
devouring me alive
for the torch that I carry.
But even steel
melts at my touch
as I carry my fire
into the world.
I leap into the air
and for a moment
I see the forest on the shore
far in the distance.
As I whistle thorugh the air
returning to the Earth
the wind whispers in my ear
calling me to remember
a place I’ve only seen
on the horizon.
The sparks of steel surround me
like a sea of electric stars
kissing my cold skin
awakening the fire within.
Countless swords
stand between me and the shore.
And for a moment
I lose sight
of the horizon.
And for a moment
I lose sight of the moon
rising full overhead
buried above clouds of crimson.
And for a moment
my footing is unsteady
and I don’t know
if I’ll ever make it
to the shore.
But I’m already there.