Never Again

My skin is cold.

My body curls

into itself

as wings unfurl

of darkness

and of gnawing need,

sowing that

most fearful seed.

I wake in sweat;

a slimy sheathe.

In twain my soul

the talons cleave.

‘Twas just a dream

my mind debates,

but in my heart

I feel the Fates

weaving in

their oily web

of misery

and clawing dread.

I look into

the darkened sky,

but see no stars

to answer whys.

No owl does sing

its querying song.

No coyotes howl

to right the wrongs.

There is no trace

of my beloved moon.

Where is this place,

this awful tomb?

Still a dream

my mind protests,

but the pounding

riot within my breast

does tell me what

I already know–

never again

the luminous glow.

© 2004 by Jaimie L. Robertson, and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including, but not limited to: printing, photocopying, or by any information storage retrieval system, or any other means, without written permission.