Shadow Of The Snake Girl

Shadow Of The Snake Girl
© Surazeus
2024 07 27

Green syrinx flute of sad heart-breaking tunes 
falls slowly from his slender blood-smeared hand 
as arrows zing into black twisted limbs 
of apple trees that weep on the lake shore, 
sharp points piercing soft petals as they swirl 
in wind that scatters our souls in mute death. 

Horse hoofs drum in anguished heartbeat of war, 
crushing tender flowers in sunlit fields 
where children, gathered to weave easter wreaths, 
scatter with petals blown by sudden wind 
from black storm clouds that thunder over hills, 
and hide in shadows of indifferent caves. 

Gaunt face of the girl, veiled by swirling hair 
tangled with twigs and seeds, masks bleak despair 
as silver eyes, reflecting empty skies, 
glare wolf-wild at golden mask of the king 
on his high horse that rears and kicks sharp hoofs 
at shadow of the snake girl in tall grass. 

Unseen by the haughty king on white horse, 
who shouts at wolf-cloaked warriors of bleak hills 
to surrender, the snake girl nocks in bow 
slender arrow of the yew tree she carved, 
and shoots it toward face of god in the sky 
who screams when it pierces chin to his brain. 

Wind swirls long hair of the slender snake girl 
who stands defiant on ridge of the hill 
as fierce king of the sky, encased in plates 
of shining steel, tumbles from his white horse 
and thuds on jagged rock that cracks his skull, 
causing jeweled crown to clatter in dust. 

Sunlight gleams in halo of shining rays 
behind head of the snake girl on the hill 
who grins at strong god fallen from the sky 
as his divine blood flows into dry soil 
to nourish roots of flowers blooming bright 
as rainbow that shimmers after the storm. 

Grasping jeweled crown, large spiked ring of gold 
studded with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, 
the snake girl glides in wind-swirled flower field 
to kneel beside her father near the tree, 
who gasps from pain of arrows in his breast, 
and grasps his hand as tears flow down her cheeks. 

Placing jeweled crown that her uncle stole 
back on head of her father, who lies prone 
among flowers, the snake girl smiles through tears 
to see her wounded father smile with joy 
while she plays tune of sorrow on his flute 
till light of life vanishes from his eyes.