I know in my delay he will merely gain ground.
He steps forward as my mind flutters with confusion.
The dry dusty sand lifts to the air with the kick of my feet.
I see Life walking bolding towards me, in the distance.
He grips a jagged sword in one hand,
as though it never leaves his palms sweaty grasp.
And a flaming torch he holds in his right hand,
to burn my corpse to ashes I trust.
Still far apart we are, but closer we get each step.
Anticipation is filling within my soul.
I'm dreading the instantaneous impact, but lusting for a bloody kill.
Stop.
Fear is overwhelming.
I don't want to be destroyed.
Still fifty yards apart.
I grab an arrow and place it to bow's string.
Take aim. Steady, release, Hit!
No delay. Shoot again. Again. Hit!
Release. Again. Again. Hit!
Bloody bursts. Guts disperse.
Yet still, Life keeps coming.
Too close and out of ammo.
I don't want to be destroyed.
I drop everything to the ground and unsheathe my shimmering sword.
Screaming out of fear and adrenalin,
I run forward like a mad man to cliff's edge.
Impact, impact it's coming closer.
I see no fear in his burning blue eyes
that pear deep through my disguise.
I don't want to be destroyed.
IMPACT!
Clang, klatter! Scamper, shatter.
Slice. Gulp. No thinking. Fight.
Spit. Choking on blood. Yelling
in pain. Yelling in fear. Panting.
Gulp. Panting. Damnation hovers in the air.
Battle. Gripping tight to my sword.
Spitting into the rush of air.
Block. Block, block. Dodge, avoid.
Strike!
Lodging my sword. Thrusting deep into his chest.
Rushing forward while turning my sword,
to induce a deep wound.
For a moment I see a glint of surprise in his eyes,
and the absence of Life's pride.
He drops the torch, but hold fast to sword,
as he falls.
He is destroyed.
I didn't want to be destroyed.
Victory.
Heart still thundering. No crowds cheering.
Only the clouds to witness.
I am victorious. I've defeated Life's sting.
Yet no one knows, and no one cares.
I am alone, but I am alive.
I turn and take a step back, walking towards whence I came.
Wiping dried blood from my sword on my leg,
I sheath my sword for future battle. Future victory.
Future victory, but also inevitable defeat.
For while Life's sword is sharpest,
Death's is unavoidable.
-Dan.
Seeking Truth Now is (c)2002 Daniel M. Branum. Comments: seekingtruthnow@yahoo.com.
(c)1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Exitzine.com, PO Box 202, Newcastle, OK 73065-0202. All Rights Reserved. Questions? Contact jmb@exitzine.com
