An inferno, taking all
Within its wake, a mane of fire
Soaring high and soring dire
Brought by winds and fueled with gall.

A pinprick thousandfold
A screaming dagger - wounding more
More than the body, mind, before
A shattered spirit, never cold.

A torrent, deluge, flood
An eddying, whirling, choking flow
Passing 'cross iron, it easily goes
Its colour crimson, scarlet blood.

The flames lick higher

The steel bites closer

The flood pours faster

To the soul.

But hold!

Take the flood and quench the fire
Take the flames and melt the dagger
Take the steel and hold the deluge
So anger halts and implodes quickly
Leaving sorrow, darkening thickly
When nurtured, festers sickly
And a husk you soon will be.

Penned by my hand on the 18th of Phaestian, in the year 244 AF.