Like Death During a Fire

I wrote this poem inspired by an article I read several years ago about a village being burned to the ground for religious reasons. The POV embodies a character who played dead to stay alive.

She didn't dare stir until footsteps fell no more. To inhale each breath seared her lungs like a bloody steak at the spit, bloody like the street she lay on. A servant of God, she prayed, her lips unmoving, fearing the earth below would swallow her from the inside out. Screams echoed, leeching away at her psyche as the last wall of the school fell across the street, the last of the fallen flags. The smoking flames scorched her soul, hellfire in the name of discord. Half breaths taken at most, eyes retired bringing  about a Juliet sleep to survive, to see a tomorrow.

Reviews

[Zugzwang]

This was a powerful narrative that really resonated with me, as I have heard similar stories and wondered at them. Thanks for sharing.

[Urja Gokani]

woooowwww amazing creepy but good to scare a person amazingly written keep it up

[HippieSoulPunx]

Wow, very dark and chilling, the imagery is intense and captivating. Amazing writing, definitely dragged me into this painful, terrifying world and kept me reading on.