Ember and Shadow

Phoenix trapped in werewolf's cave

Thinks its fire will make it brave

Works so hard his soul to save

But for blood does the werewolf crave.

Werewolf calm by glowing day

A kindly man, not much to say

If only such a soul could stay

As the sunlight sinks away.

Werewolf struggles against attack

One foul night shall send him back

Strength of will he seems to lack

Once sane mind going black.

Phoenix weeps with healing tears

Fights all day to mend his fears

But as the looming moonlight nears

A lonely howl is all he hears.

Werewolf claws at Phoenix heart

Moonlit terror tears them apart

Though an end this is only the start

Impending silence his cruelest art

Deepest night

Darkest fright

Loss of might

No will to fight

Of the werewolf only shadow remains

Phoenix left with bloody teary stains 

Free she soars across the plains

But still is haunted by werewolf's pains

Shadow passes over the sky

Follows the phoenix wherever she doth fly

Always lingers, standing by

Reminding her darkness is nigh.

Phoenix learns to live with dark

Sleeps between the passing sparks

At times the daylight is too stark

Til she finds the werewolf's shadowy arc.

Time goes by, the shadow shrinks

Phoenix doesn't notice, until she blinks

Then into the past her heart sinks

And she herself teeters on the brink.

Phoenix watches the shadow fade

Wonders if her debt's been paid

Or if bare her soul's been laid

Or if in the cave she should have stayed.

Shadow nudges at her mind

The truths ever harder to find

Til tighter inside the demons wind

When Phoenix seeks answers, shadow declines.

Dark and silent in Phoenix thought

After so many shadows and demons fought

Werewolf with him new ones brought

And in the cave she still feels caught

Werewolf shadow in a star

In the sea, not so far

Beyond the veil, across the bar

Waiting where the memories are.

Shadow barely visible now

Phoenix sees it, wonders how

Beyond what reason should allow

And yet no fever upon her fiery brow.

Tiny shadow waves hello

Cocks its head, nodding slow

Fades away to lonely echo

Tiny shadow, where did you go?

--10.30.14