Four beings but one eye

 

He wore his wrinkles like an explosion.

Skin red and eyes darted.

Stab you to cut hearts he could.

Ran into hatred’s snarled lips.

Teeth bore and ear to ear.

Worry that in your back they’d sink.

 

By jaws held open

With no easy escape.

 

-- -- -- --

 

He rose his scepter with the rumble of hooves.

Arms bare and dead tight grip.

Pummel to fall upon your sins he could.

Gazed into justice’s seeing eye.

Veins drew vines of muster.

Sought to deliver the cruel to hell.

 

By razor-wire and twine of truth

With no one else to look to.

 

-- -- -- --

 

He anchored his fervor rooted like trees.

Voice sharp and hands hard soft.

Defend you to shut back black he could.

Fled into empathy’s broad shelter.

Shoulders strong and heads there lay.

Solace found the umbrella of fear-away.

 

By shouting back darkness

With the candle of light.

 

-- -- -- --

 

He opened his eyes like wind calm tides.

Mind warm and welcome embrace.

Save you to freedom true he could.

Wept into compassion’s sorrowful abide.

Irises told stories youthful of soul.

Victories worthy by yields of love.

 

By decree of forever pupils

Their passions burn clean

Of Odium

Of Sting

Of Guard

And of Amity.

 

-- -- -- --

 

Together till morrow dies.

The ardors of each key.

Yet four beings but one eye.

For these men are but me.

 

-----------

 

Author's Note

Img credit: http://www.bodyofwork.us/

Reviews

[Emily B]

I didn't mean to read any more this morning. I had wasted enough of my early at-work time, but that first line jumped out of my notifications. I'm too weak-willed for siren songs, I suppose.

This is a strong piece. The cold steel power of your words is stunning. And the gradual introduction of the other three beings works well. This is great stuff.

[Steve Thompson]

Wow, that was a strong write, the nasty things men are, just so happen to be within every man. I like your style.

[THE [ME]GEAN]

You're a great writer, cryptic, but great. Again, I love your style and the way you present horrifying situations in poetic soft ways.

Hatred, justic, empathy, compassion.

Wonderful fix you got there. Not to mention it wasn't completely clear on the first read.
Thats how writing is supposed to me.
Full of incryptions.

[TL Boehm]

wow, formidable writing and message contained within this tightly woven poetry.

[Raef C. Boylan]

This is an interesting and captivating piece, with lots of original imagery to keep the reader absorbed and scanning on down the lines. I like the way you've chosen to narrate it, like a legend being remembered in conversation, with dialogue tics - "he could". It had a vibe of the medieval about it, but then seems contemporary at the end; I admire that.

Overall, good work.

[DecemberXSunset]

That was freakin' awesome... I just knew that when I was going to read this, that it would be. n__n""

You're so good at this...

"By razor-wire and twine of truth

With no one else to look to." I really like the way this part sounds. It's nice..

[Starlit Scarlett]

Wow. This flows beautifully and is such an honest and original piece. I love the separation of your selves: hatred, justice, empathy, compassion...it's just perfect, so layered and multi-dimensional, and complex, just like a person. This poem will definitely stay with me. Thank you for posting it!

[Nicholas Hallows]

Some great language here. It's a very direct piece of writing that doesn't hold back. I think 'masculine' is a good word to describe it. NH

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

A truly strong and powerful write. Very masculine and appealing. Thank you. A great work.
Light,
Siddartha

[Brenda Sue]

Very well written. Wonderfully penned. Great job.