Her Pyre

Out of the darkness they hauled her,
Gave her the strap in public until
Her back covered the ground in
Black blood, transparent sweat,
But no tears. They were busy building
The pyre for her impenitent strength,
But she broke out of the barred room
In the dead of the night before, teeth
Gnawing wood and iron, fists
Stronger than their shackles. She
Was back in her forest at dawn,
An example made of the evil of men.

R 04/01/2025 19:24