…trembled unseen

Just a single decision
once made in haste
caution discarded
upon the hollow winds
of opportunity

in the space of a heartbeat
between darkness and light
a shadow trembled unseen
just a brief moment
where other choices lingered
whispering unheard but not unfelt

all it took was a glance
a deal with the devil
a game of chance
and then a silence that binds
the price to be paid
for the mistakes we made

the loss and the sorrow
and the wages of sin
the winding road of torment
the years, disciples of the reaper
carve rivers of retribution
upon our once smooth skin
illuminating the darkness
of a lifetime of regret

© Ann Bagnall