Parable to the Scattered Stars - Overture

Verse 1 of 6.

High-rising spires of emerald and gold

fade to black against a crimson sky.

Little motes of white float lazily by,

drifting along on translucent wings

as the snow-laden world burns.

I stand at the precipice of annihilation

desperately unable to turn away.

Though I know for certain my hands are clean

the scourge of guilt shears through my flesh.

What was it I should've done to avoid this?

Somewhere in that suffocating darkness

buried in the abyss of desolation

you stand there, mercifully alone.

Once upon a time, I might've known where to look

but long ago your star stopped guiding my path.

Am I wrong to be satisfied with this result?

To say there was anything of value for me

in a towering landscape of heartless steel

is so disparate from reality, it brings a painful joy 

to my twisted, ghostly lips. I can't help it.

Warmth billows in from a wanton gale

shaking my frozen soul to the core.

For a moment longer, my mind drifts to you;

those eyes... effulgence even the sun dared envy.

Then the world returns to it's blissful frost.

My gaze lingers no longer as I start down the hill.

Retracing my path away from the ruined metropolis.

Why I came back, just to watch it all fall down

even I can't say, but perhaps for some naive hope

That, despite the destruction, it might endure.

The moment I turn away, my heart grows still.

In the light of the wildfire, cast in flickering hue

you're there, barely a breath from where I stand.

My hand moves of it's own volition, heedless

fingertips brazenly brushing flesh once familiar.

And only then, in agonizing epiphany, do I remember

as my hand passes harmlessly through your body

my banishment from the realm you yet cling fast to.

Those eyes that once locked me in their spellbinding embrace,

gaze right through me, unto the disaster beyond.

As you walk closer to the sheer cliff's edge,

I slip right through you, despite my fragile efforts 

the boulder in my chest not even an impediment.

You turned, and briefly hope dared swell in my breast,

but you just shook your head, and I was gone.

Reviews

[Nolo Segundo]

This reminds me of a poem I wrote, Sazaku, called 'When I leave you'-- both seem to be about when one world impinges on the next.

[Cobblestone Traveler]

Absolutely stunning. I love the contrast between the burning fire and the icy frost. The pain and helplessness of passing right through the person that means everything to you. Powerful poem. Congratulations on winning First Place in the Forbidden Love contest and thank you for entering!

[Sazaku]

Thank you! This is a poem I admittedly had trouble sharing at first (and still have yet to fully unveil) so I'm very pleased to know it resonated so well with you. Really made my day to receive the news.