He sat in a dark void of grey nothingness,
as a bird slapped the air with its wings above him.
The bird was black, as black as onyx
The bird swooped and in one quick motion
Swiped its claws along the boy’s shoulder,
As if striking a match to light the darkness.
As a thousand little red rivers ran down from the crevices in his skin,
he watched the bird pry open its beak,
And he heard it caw, teasingly
You’re nothing .
It placed its wings over the boy’s eyes to blind him.
What’s the matter? Can’t you see?
He let the bird cover his head with a feathery shroud
While he sat there wondering
why this soul was swimming around in his body.
You don’t even know who you are.
He let the bird swoop above him,
then fall. He stood there motionless,
Closing his eyes, as if blindfolded in front of a firing squad.
Why aren’t you running? Aren’t you scared?
He let the bird lower its beak and drink the blood
From his heart. He was what gave the bird life.
The bird fed on everything he didn’t want.
Suddenly, the bird released it wings,
And the boy saw a window of light. In it stood
A young girl. One he knew by heart, by soul, by blood.
The paralyzing saltiness of her tears punched at his tongue.
paralyzing the creature.
With newfound strength
He tore the bird’s talons from his shoulders,
Shedding off bone, flesh, and sinew.
He ran to the light, and before he crossed over,
Turned his head back,
And glared at the fiend.
What have you to say now?
