The Withered Vine

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

As the heart withers upon the vine, it is the soul which suffers and bleeds. Into the darkness it is driven, upon the back of a skeletal steed.  And as the words of a lover smite it, the vines whither and die.  The soil beneath is blackened, as the once fertile veins run dry.  Fall becomes winter, and winter turns to spring, before a loving hand brings life back, and the first signs hope are seen.  She gently sifts through the soil, and plants a wondrous seed.  The shriveled veins first glisten, then throb as she sets them free. They twine in response to her presence, about her sensual form, and as they respond to each other, love which will last eternal, through the pain is once again born. RW

The Darkness

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

Mesmerized by the flames, it is not to light the which I am drawn but to the darkness beyond. I have passed beyond the flames, their heat searing my flesh, and it is to comfort that I look. Is there such a one who can sooth my pain?  One who can cradle me within their embrace and bath me in the salve of their affections?  I only know that though I pass through the flames a thousand times, it is to them whom I strive to seek refuge, and failing that, I will succumb to the flames allowing my heart to feed the blaze until it is committed to the ashes.

Thawing Of The Heart

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

The crystal paths of my heart map the ones I have loved. Its flames long since cooled by the pain I've withstood.  Along the path to this place lies the remains of those loves, the wilted foliage blown skyward away and above.  Alone I trudge forward, hope a far away land, yet far in the distance, ahead she may stand.  This woman, this vision which has captured my heart, warms the air that surrounds me and the thawing can start.  And so my pace quickens, as hope blooms in my chest, and behind may be seen, the crystals grow less.  Lush gardens await, as I reach to her embrace, and the sun finally shines on my up tilted face.

The Canyons

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

I sit silent listening to the echoes, unsure as to whether they are from the rocks that have fallen, or from the thoughts which fill my mind.  Tossing another stone, I cock my head, feeling the sounds resonate deep within me.  Long after the sounds fade, the thrum within me remains.  And how many have tread across the canyons of my mind, my heart, my soul?  I gaze inward, sensing the path of the multitudes which have passed, and the array of colors which their passage has wrought intrigues.  From the dark hues of the turbulent times, to the delicate shades of those whom I have loved.  And yet one among them stands out, bright and sure it travels unerringly through the hazards, roaming at will along the paths, all of which lead to my heart.  For this one, I scatter the stones of doubt.  For this one, I shall scale the treacherous walls.  For this one I shall risk a deadly fall into the depths.  And yet my heart is safe, for it is she who carries it.

The Goddess

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

    Across this ribbon which flows a thousand miles, lies a strange place of which I have naught but dreamed.  It's creatures strange and beautiful, its landscape a monument to the gods.  And yet I am bound here by my nature, my magic unable to survive the crossing. Though the temptation be strong, I refuse to yield, refuse to sacrifice the embrace of the goddess to whom I serve.  Such as it is, I will forge my own lands, I will create my own creatures, and I will sculpt beauty from my surroundings.  Thus those beyond my reach will be tempted, and unto me will they come, sharing in the fruits of the goddesses blessings.

Longing

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

The swirls and patterns caress the sky, beauty from beyond the horizon.  A horizon to which my one true love has fled.  And so, far into the northern lands, I await her return, bound to this sunless sky.  Will she accept this monster that I am?  Will she allow the heart which is bound to the beast to embrace her in its cold dark state?  Will she take the chance that she may hold the answer to its thawing?  Willing or no, the thawing has begun, and whether she be willing or not, I cannot find it within me to feed.  And thus I waste, awaiting that which may not come.  Without her, I would rather succumb to the everlasting slumber, rather than live in the shadows of that which I desire.

A Favorable Wind

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

From lands distant and strange, from times long forgotten, may come that for which we yearn.  Carried upon the wind, our thoughts, our dreams, our longing, may traverse the globe settling who knows not where.  But were we vigilant, were we attentive, perhaps, once in a while, those winds may blow in our favor.  When that doth happen, breath deep of that air that fortune has blown our way, and cling tight to the gift which has been bestowed upon you.

These Bloody Fields.

Photo Courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

How many men have battled here?  How many nations have struggled to plant there flags upon these fertile fields?  As the soil sifts through my hands, I am not naive enough to believe that the last of the blood has been shed upon this land. Whether it be my own, or that of a descendent, I cannot say.  I can say that to lay claim to the lands upon this world is folly, for it is but a lease, a lease bound in blood.  So appreciate the blessings bestowed upon you in the moment, for on the morrow, they may be stripped from you, leaving you to roam the world in search of the next field which is worthy of your blood.

Old Friend

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

The smile which curves my lips is for the old friend which has come to visit.  The years have past, and though many have gone, he is one on which I can depend.  I know not if it be the same, but I am comforted none the less.  And though I will be gone long before these visits end, I will take solace with me in my final rest.

Lonely Shores

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

The miles of footprints which have been erased by the sea swim through my thoughts.  Lasting only long enough to be a brief note of our passing.  With her at my side, we have had many a walk recorded, only to wake the next day and have to rewrite our story in the endlessly changing sands.  On this sunset, my gait feels awkward for reasons I do not understand, until I remember.  I walk these shores alone, her hand no longer in mine, for she has passed beyond that sunset. And so I walk further each day, my footprints alone must now write the story of the pair which used to tread these shores. And though no longer with me, though the distance traveled will be far, she will always be with me as I weave the tale of our love.

Wonder

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

Many leagues I have traveled, many sights I have seen. 

 Many paths have my feet tread, many dawns have I dreamed.  

 I awake on each morn, breath deep the new day.

 My thoughts eagerly churning, to learn what they may. 

 In wonder I gaze, at each sight that I see.  

And I wonder anew, how it is to be free.  

I know not what the future, may hold for these lands.

 But today I find beauty, wherever I stand. 

 I may or not be here, for the next mornings dawn.

But for now my soul thrives. 

On this beautiful song.

Childhood Dreams

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

The spotlight upon me, as my gaze sweeps the crowd, they gasp and they sigh as I sing this lullaby.  My soul fills with happiness as I bring them such joy, upon the wings of their cheering, my voice it doth soar.   It soars to the heavens, for angels to hear, their wings which may falter, is that which I fear. And yet it continues, the melody of my soul, as I lick the last of the icing, from the rim of this bowl.

The Unexpected

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

I fear not the winding road, for my senses are tuned to the hazards which may appear.  It is the long stretch before me, devoid of variation, lulling in its quietness, which fills me with trepidation.  For as I am soothed into this feeling of peace and solitude, I know I will be unprepared for that which lies just beyond my gaze.  Will it be a deer, a fox, a raccoon which causes me to crash into the obstacles to either side?  I fear it will be the monster of my own creation which will plunge me from my path, perhaps to leave me wandering, directionless, for the remainder of my days.

The Pull

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

I resist the pull of reality as the forces lift me higher.  I desire to remain unrestrained, unfettered from the bonds which control my life.  Yet I am weak, unworthy of the majesty which flows around me.  I am but a humble man, unable to sore higher, unable to grasp that which lies just beyond my reach.  And thus I am inexorably pulled lower and lower.  My descent uncontrolled, I brace for that which will come, and I cast out my prayers just before the impact which will send me into oblivion.

Beauty Unbound

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

Motionless she sits, her thoughts a mystery you to me, as my gaze glides over her delicate features.  Her distant look leaves me to imagine the far away land to which she is visiting.  I am drawn into that world, my mind taken to lands of beauty and mystery of which she is among the most beautiful.  In this land, she is shed of the worries that often furrow her brow, here she dances in light, moving gracefully through that which surrounds her.  I dare not approach for fear of interrupting her carefree dance.  A hesitation in her step fills my heart with sadness, for I know that the burdens of the real world have begun to draw her away from this brief moment of freedom.  Perhaps one day I will approach.  Perhaps one day, I will be able to extend a hand that will merge that world of fantasy with this world.  On that day, it is I who will sit motionless,  forever transfixed by her beauty.

Touched By an Angel

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

She captured my heart in so many ways as she unknowingly strummed the instruments of my soul.  I knew not how to tell her and so I my efforts to draw her attention were awkward and ineffectual.  So from afar I admired her, yearning to be near.  Eventually we moved far away taking her from me forever.  The last day I saw her, she was talking to another student at school and I heard the words.  She had learned that I was moving away and she commented about what a nice boy I was she and just hadn't had the courage to approach me.  Her name had been Allison, and she found a place in the heart of an eight year old boy that would last for decades.

Those Whom Have Gone Before.

Photo courtesy of Sharena Williams Photography

How many of those that have traveled before relinquished their lives, trying in vain to reach a distant oasis.  Their cries for help absorbed by the desert as the vultures circled above. Did they crawl forward refusing to give up, or did they lie down in defeat?  When the vultures had feasted, and the sand had scoured their bones, did their souls continue on?  The footprints before me bare witness to their passing, ever present in the shifting sands of time.  And if their journey began in hopes of a better life, if they stepped upon this treacherous path with thoughts of doing some small part in making the world a better place, then my first steps are willingly taken, for they will not have sacrificed themselves in vain.

Illusive

Photo courtesy of Sharena Willams Photography

Amidst the crowds she stands, her beauty only enhanced by those which pass before her.  My eyes constantly drawn to the place at which she first appeared.  Yet inexorably she moves, keeping me in search of her radiance.  My yearning to bask in her glow leaves me aching at each moment in which she is concealed.  As she fades from view, my feet move of their own accord, dragging me forward.  Regardless of the danger, I will follow, and though I may perish in the vast depths between her and I, it is better than living without her by my side.

The Ousider

In this I am the outsider, ever striving for acceptance.  My battle to join the multitudes while maintaining my individuality, is a struggle which I fear I will never overcome.  The internal conflict I have is the question of whether my individuality contributes more to society, or should I be absorbed, conforming to the that which the people demand? I choose not to sacrifice myself, hoping that the world see's that within me which will help our society grow.

From The Depths

On these craggy shores I sit, exhausted and shattered,  my heart weeping for those who did not survive.  I stare at the ragged flesh of my feet, my blood streaming into the depths with that of my brothers.  I blame not the Captain, the storm which took us came from nowhere.  Yet why had I alone survived?  Why did my black soul deserve to carry on when so many better men were carried to cold dark depths?

A golden glow drags my eyes from the torn flesh of my feet, and I feel no pain as I rise.  The beauty before me is beyond any which man could produce.  My anger flares, crushing my sorrow. How dare such beauty be displayed on the same day in which so many good men had died.  How dare the gods mock my pain.  My feet begin to carry me forward, anger growing into determination.  If I cannot wage war upon this plane, I will join my brothers and lead an army to Olympus which will tear down their mighty fortress.  And as the crashing waves blot out the beauty, I find peace, I find resolve.  I am coming my brothers, and our deaths will not go unavenged.

Torment

 

Deep within the shadows I watched. The feelings of shame confusing me. Who was this creature who could evoke such emotions from my bestial heart? I strove valiantly to bring my true nature to the fore.  This was my enemy.  This creature was that which gave me sustenance.  I tried to rise, my taunt muscles trembling with effort, only to fail me.  A whimper slipping from my mouth.  I was ugly. Unworthy to be in the presence of such beauty.  I knew now that I could not harm this creature.  

I found my limbs dragging me forward as my confusion mounted.  Drawing near, a battle began to rage within me.  The need, the hunger, ate at me from within.  My true nature battling its way free.  Saliva dripped from my fangs.  This could not happen.  My mind raged as the beast took over.  Launching me at this beautiful creature, rending flesh, showering her blood on me. 

As my teeth shredded her throat, my soul died within me.  The beast withdrew at the end, leaving me to clutch her tattered remains to my breast. This is the day I vowed to rid the world of my curse.  This day begins my journey to rid the world of Werewolves.