Ancient One

I am the storm that savages
I am the kiss that ravages
I am the tree that petrifies
The lightning that electrifies
I am the unavoidable
That makes the pain enjoyable
I am the darkness covering
The doubts that once were hovering
I am the docile courtesan
That quietly disrupts your plans
I am the dream you can’t escape
The tingle itching at your nape
I am the sacred coveted
What was left once sin was shed
I am the crack within the earth
That through my womb instructs rebirth

Duck

A butterfly named Beulah was flitting all around
She went from flower to flower floating 'cross the ground
She spotted some chrysanthemums and settled for a snack
But as she started sipping she heard a lonely quack
She peeked over the petals and saw the yellow fluff
She wasn't sure just what it was she'd never seen that stuff
The little duckling saw her and so he quacked again
But butterflies were loners and rarely made new friends
He did look oh so snuggly like clouds or moss or fur
But Beulah knew of danger so still she wasn't sure
He blinked his little eyes at her and tilted his soft head
She poised herself to fly away but drifted down instead
Just then a bird came swooping in and snatched the butterfly
The duckling was so startled that he then started to cry
His Mama waddled over and nuzzled his soft face
He said "Oh Mama this time I was sure I'd get a taste!"

Now that I'm here...

Crushed by nostalgia and days that have burned

wrinkled and ashy the lessons now learned

buckled by heat and soggy with rescue

smelling the embers could practically cleanse you

Innocence crumbles within my grasp

the newness and wonder I thought would last

but now muddy memories stick to my shoes

spreading apart and coating the clues

At my feet lie the answers of why for the past

occluded with splinters and rubble and glass

Heat that can shatter and flames that explode

all tools to decipher this dastardly code.