…trembled unseen

Just a single decision, once made in haste
caution discarded like ashes 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