Now that I’ve had a dagger thrust keenly into my belly, I can absolutely say it’s a fucking awful sensation—the kind of pain so brutal, it hasn’t allowed me to cry out. Maybe I won’t have the chance.
I sensed the steel was hot with hatred; my skin prickled upon the piercing. And all of my guts began to itch and burn the deeper the blade was plunged; the barbed sort of burning keeps me hushed.
I didn’t scream or start when I caught him walking up this morning; I was kneeling in my flower garden, dazed by the thrilling and sour sight of him. I only gasped, and he was on me before I could stand, though he didn’t stick me right away.
He said—no, he mocked, “I can never unknow you.” His skin smelled of posh French cologne, and his breath of Irish whiskey.
He forced me onto my feet by the nape of my neck; the neck he loved once—or maybe still does love? I asked him why he couldn’t have stayed by his darling seaside to brood beneath those thick grey skies. He stuck me then, and I dropped my trowel. The hilt press against me. I looked up into his scorpion eyes, and thought, he’s going to totally eviscerate me now. But he didn’t. That’s how much he hates me. I’ve been bleeding to death in my own motherfucking backyard ever since.
Above me the brainless silver maples blithely wave their fine branches; the underside of uncountable leaves twinkle, stunning against the backdrop of sky blue. The clouds are bleached white, and the summer sun is looking directly upon us. My killer is lying beside me, running his red tacky fingers through my hair; if not for my life leaking out of me, staining my clothes and the grass all around me, I would think it a rather romantic scene.
I don’t want to see any more of the world I’m about to leave behind; I must close my eyes.
I conceive it is night. I can see him, drunk with grief and stinking of his Irish whiskey, standing on a stony coast and shaking his fist at silvery swells. In his melodramatic style, he strikes the empty bottle against the rocks, and with a crude edge of green tinted glass he spills his blood. His life rushes out of him in crimson bursts, staining his clothes, his flesh, and the earth beneath him. He doesn’t panic—clutch at his neck. He simply moans a guttural gurgle, staggers, then falls dead right there on the beach. In the moonlight, his alabaster face is beautiful, streaked with radiant red.
I can’t go out mutely. “I hate you.” A scratch of a whisper, but I know he heard.
“And I, you.” He has his hands wrapped up in my matted and sticky hair, and he’s weeping all over my face.
Or maybe those are my own tears rolling hotly down my cheeks, my neck.
The Editors Top Ten
Ligeia, under dimmed lights/Oloriel
A Moment of Dying/Kindra Austin
Reblogged this on RamJet Poetry.
LikeLike
Brilliant writing my friend! I was so thrilled to see you entered the contest, and then when I read your work, I was like F&^* Yeah! Great stuff Kindra!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Damn it, Janet! Thank you!! You’re one of my favies, so your encouragement means a lot to me, friend! ❤❤❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Group hug?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAASSS! 🐙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chills, well done
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gah! I rode past on my unicorn and had to cover its eyes. This is brilliant. It brought tears to my eyes. Geez, WP keeps doing that to me! Love it.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Vanessa– can I tell you how much I love you writing that you rode by on your unicorn and had to cover its eyes?! I’m sure I’ve said it before– because I think it quite frequently– but you are awesome!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Christine, your generosity means so much, and has come at a good time, not such a great day today. So thank you! 🌹 (here’s one of the flowers little unicorn didn’t tread on in her blindness)
LikeLiked by 3 people
If you ever need anything Vanessa– virtual hug, someone to remind you that you are awesome– you know where to find me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! Likewise. 💘
LikeLiked by 1 person
I ❤ u, Vanessa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha awwww I ❤ you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐙 Hooray!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Kindra M. Austin and commented:
Holy Wow! Top Ten. This feels amazing. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I want to extend my thanks to the Sudden Denouement community. You’re all a bunch of mind bending talents, and I am truly enriched by every one of you.
Peace,
Kindra
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is so out there and top notch. The quality of writing associated with Sudden Denouement is so encouraging.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh, my word! You are so kind, and brilliant. Thank you. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
I loved this one!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lovely Sarah. You are always so encouraging of me, and I appreciate you beyond measure. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🦄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kindra- This is one of the most atmospheric poems that I have ever read. So evocative and visceral!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Christine, you blow me away daily. Your compliment has given me goose flesh. Thank you. Much love! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well deserved my dear, well deserved! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤💕💞
LikeLike
must admit, I’m a sucker for murder.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Muwahahahahaha! Your level of awesome is off the charts. Thank you so much for reading me. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love this. And I love how many people’s blogs I am now discovering thanks to this competition!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! ❤ There is so much talent to find here, it's incredible!
LikeLiked by 2 people