I awoke to strange surroundings, filled with ruddy light
like that of iron heated to glowing

I trod a path well worn, at first alone, then saw that i was following a figure covered from view yet seemingly known to me.

Horrendous cries and smells assualted my senses from mounds that moved and writhed. I dared not look to close for something told me that i wanted not to see

the air was close and dank, its very texture almost repugnant and slowly the mounds closed in becoming walls of a canyon through which the deep and furrowed path wound its way.

the figure ahead of me spoke no word, made no gesture to acknowledge my presence behind it. I called out "hello, what is this place". but no response came. I grew tired and paused to rest, standing as no seat availed itself to me...only the walls that moved and groaned, that i did not want to see.

The figure turned and spoke, a deep yet not unpleasing voice, from within a hood that let not a feature escape. "this is not the place you were brought to see, although you still refuse to view it." Then turned and moved along the path.

Feeling commanded yet not sure why, I restarted my trek, curiosity maiing me cry out "do you know me sir, if so what is this strange and noisome place, that gives such rank and fetid gloom." No answer came, the guide ahead strode on.

I followed and followed and followed yet more, till boredom made me look about and try to discern what was around me. And paused in shock as the landscape resolved itself into individual parts. No rock or soil or vegetation this land did have, but was made of beings burning and writhing in torment.

The glow was from the couches on which they were bound, that cooked them as surely as any grill. slowly roasted, mouths open in pain, venting screams yet strangley muted. I recoiled in shock, stopping dead still. the shade ahead paused and said "so you finally open your eyes" "why, what place is this" I asked and received this reply.

"This is where what must be will be, where all bills come paid, and final reckonings catch up." then the figure moved on, I followed, more afraid than ever in my life.

What was my purpose here, why was i being trekked through this horror of a land. of these things i had no clue, only a small fear that grew in the back of my mind, a niggling thought of something i knew wasn't true.

A long time later the figure stopped and pointed up the wall. "look here" it said, in its commanding tone. My gaze followed its direction and saw a woman on the heated slab. Fair and lush was she, and known to me well. "why is she here" i cried and made to go to her, thinking to effect her release.

but i was stopped by forces unseen, held to the path against my will. I flailed and writhed trying to find escape with no more success than the damned around me.

The shade looked at me and said "you may not alter what is seen here ...as long as you are in this place. This is where what must be will be and not for you to change."

"Then why am i brought to this demonic hall of pain, if not to save even one that I knew and loved?"

"She made her own bed in this place by denying love that was offered, her fear of hurt let her pass by the chance for a life of joy. The ember she chose to carry inside is become her bed of pain. as regret consumed her in life it now consumes her here."

"And why am i brought here to witness this monstrous sight."

"It was within you to change her fate but you let her slide away, your choice not to pursue let her choose not to risk."

"Then punish me shade" I cried, "if it was my doing that led her to this! let me take her place."

"you have a path that needs to be followed, of that i say no more. But know you this, that in your mind you will always carry the vision of this result. You heed not others around you. Thinking they matter not, but what you do or do not do makes differences in lives and endings you perceive not. Look beyond your self and maybe yet this will be undone"

having spoken thus he pulled a piece of his hood back there came forth such a light that i was blinded and woke then in my bed.

the phone was ringing and when i answered a voice said hi baby, and i near wept for it was she i had seen in torment in my dream. As we talked my eyes fell on the floor, there i saw black and dirty marks from shoe soles melted and burned.


©2003 These works are copyrighted by the author and all rights are reserved. Theft will be punished by having your nipples rubbed with a cheese grater. Unless of course you like that sort of thing, in which case you'll be made to listen to telemarketers and televangelists until you give them all your money.

- posted by Roadkill Poet @ 9:01 PM