Fire To Ashes To Fire

Turning the story upside down

Photo by Riccardo Fissore on Unsplash

Beyond was she of the smoky clutches.
A deep breath; no shades of venom,
Across snowy mountains and rolling meadows,
Triumphant was she against fiendish touches,

A trip, a slip — the toxin lashed out.
The soot laden claw carved its way,
Etched in her soul, black veins of hell.
Trust engulfed the dark sea of doubt,

Resolute against the beast to be slain,
“Never again”; came her final vow,
A stained heart marked her a slave,
Efforts in vain, writhing in pain.

The demonic ailment showed no mercy.
A raging fire, a pile of ash alight,
Choked, strangled, in its vice grip,
Death’s call was no painless courtesy.

Now read the poem from bottom to top.