[h1]Wormwood Series[/h1]

[hider=Sunsets and Pyres: A Tragedy]
[b][u]Sunsets and Pyres: A Tragedy[/u][/b]

The blacksmith begs for water.
His forge is on fire.
The villagers stand by
Overtaken by solemn silence
Believing the pyre
That presently illuminates
Their collective gaze
Is the blacksmith's
Finest work yet:
Glowing tones of sunset
Scorched and beautiful
As all his works before it.
[/hider]
[hider=The Standard Bearer]
[b][u]The Standard Bearer[/u][/b]

A tattered ensign waves over the battlefield.
The standard bearer has not yet fallen.
Though his voice cannot be heard
Over the deafening din of battle
He wields the banner vigorously.
The tapestry bears the loudest cry:
Rally! To me, my brothers!
Our banner still waves!
If you can see it raised
Fight on! Fight on!
[/hider]
[hider=The Widow]
[b][u]The Widow[/u][/b]

The widow tidies her home.
She works endlessly everyday.
For everyday she has a visitor.
"For whom do you toil, widow?*
Death repeats this question daily.
"For whom do you make ready?"
The widow never stops cleaning.
Alas, her home is never clean.
"I prepare for no man!"
She declares in defiance.
"I know you reap from the dust
So I remove the dust far away.
No man will sweep me away
Not even you."
[/hider]
[hider=The Astronomer]
[b][u]The Astronomer[/u][/b]

The astronomer stares transfixed at the heavens.
"Have we been lied to?" he gasps.
The celestial host once filled the sky,
But they are rapidly winking out.
"We thought there was a future out there..."
The astronomer's voice trembles.
Hopelessness has seeped in under his collar.
Its cold grasp constricts his heart.
"The future is swallowed whole
In a cosmic abyss unending.
The light we see is no promise of hope
But endless dying screams of the celestials.
The great maw of Judgment encompasses us.
We will be one body among many to perish
And our screams will join the unholy chorus!"
[/hider]
[hider=The Astronaut]
[b][u]The Astronaut[/u][/b]

He hangs there, feet dangling into nothing.
The oxygen hose is his only tether.
He makes no motion to pull himself back.
The darkened visor reflects distant light.
"Is everything ok? Are you alright?"
His crew checks in on him.
"They said the abyss was scary."
His cryptic answer concerns them.
They are trying to pull him in.
"They said the abyss looks back.
I thought it would be inhuman.
The eyes of a stranger...."
The crew pulls him back to the ship.
They usher him back inside.
His helmet is gently removed.
Tears were streaming from his eyes.
"Those were no eyes of a stranger.
They had faces and smiles.
When I looked in the void just now,
I could see everyone I ever lost.
They were waving at me.
They were calling me over.
And I really wish that I had."
[/hider]
[hider=The Pilot]
[b][u]The Pilot[/u][/b]

A pilot observes a clear sky.
His aircraft explodes in his peripheral.
He ejected just in time.
His parachute deploys in vain.
He is not alone.
Gunfire tears through the air
Shredding his chute.
He is in freefall.
He understands what happens now.
Rolling over, he watches the sky.
At least it's a clear day.
He falls.
Much further than any man should.
A hand takes hold of his.
One side, then the other.
Comrades are there beside him.
"You know you can fly, right?"
The pilot realized he no longer fell.
He floated with his brothers.
"C'mon. The others are waiting."
They pull him through the air.
Higher and higher they flew.
Til all three disappeared into the blue.
[/hider]
[hider=Are You the One I am Waiting For?]
[b][u]Are You the One I am Waiting For?[/u][/b]

I sat many days in a fallen temple
Seeking after a sign if one should be given.
It was cold and it rained some days
Pouring on my head unrelenting.
I knew not if a god might answer
With something other than silence.
After many days, my eyes were heavy
My last meal a distant memory.
I did not hear him enter
But I looked and saw a shadow before me.
It wavered and had no certain form
But I was aware of its eyes on me.
"Who do you wait for?" he asked
A hollow whisper that lacked compassion.
"I know not," I replied. "Are you not he?"
It did not answer, smoldering silently.
"Are you the one I am waiting for?" I asked.
"I can show you how to leave." he said
A subtle laughter trilled his words.
I remained silent this time.
The shade leaned in closer.
"Leave this place with me."
He was demanding now, and I was troubled.
"I don't want to leave...." I replied
Hesitating, choking on every syllable.
"You are wet. You are cold." he said.
"How many days has it been since you ate?"
His form shifted, and I knew he was reaching for me.
"You will leave with me. Come away now."
My eyes grew heavy, and I was unable to stay awake.
I dreamt of a horrible scream that faded
Into a gentle breeze that refreshed me.
When next I awoke, light shown through
Where the temple's roof had collapsed.
Sensing a presence, I bolted upright
To see a woman seated nearby.
She smiled kindly at me and looked up.
"What happened to the shade?" I asked.
Her eyes remained upward as she answered.
"Is that what you wish to ask me?"
It was then that I recalled the purpose of my tenure.
"Are you the one I am waiting for?"
She lowered her gaze to me.
"Do you not already know?
Did the thought of me not draw you here?
Did I not baptize you with rain as you waited?
Have I not kept you as you slept in my presence?
It has been I who was waiting for you."
[/hider]
[hider=The Farmer]
[b][u]The Farmer[/u][/b]

A farmer tends to his field.
He pauses for a momentary rest.
His eyes catch something in the sky.
Wormwood streaks through the blue.
A windmill suddenly obscures his view.
It grows larger as he looks on.
"Pay no heed to the sky." says the windmill.
"Tend the ground, farmer.
No trouble shall befall you."
The farmer smiles absently to himself.
His attention turns back to the dirt.
Wormwood continues its descent.
[/hider]
[hider=The King]
[b][u]The King[/u][/b]

A man sits in his palace.
Whited knuckles clutch the arms of his throne.
His servants mirror looks of concern.
The king is muttering to himself.
"My throne...Mine...."
An endless mantra spoken
As though it bore power to preserve.
He does not know.
Wormwood descends on his kingdom.
[/hider]
[hider=What Death Conquered]
[b][u]What Death Conquered[/u][/b]

An army marches towards the wall.
A mournful wind sweeps the land.
Their enemies lie slain in the field.
They intend to claim their spoils.
The commander comes to a stop.
His army hesitates behind him.
A lone soldier remains at the gate.
"You stand before Death.
Why do you not flee?"
The soldier stands tall.
His sword is stuck in the ground.
"I wait for you."
A ponderous silence sweeps through.
Death gestures at his men.
"Here we are. Your wait is over."
The soldier bows his head.
Surely he accepts what is to come.
"It is not too late to run."
Death's taunting suggestion.
The wind carries it away.
The sword is pulled free of the ground.
The soldier stands ready.
"My place is here."
Death scoffs as his horse trots forward.
"Your work is done here.
There is nothing more you can do.
Let your legs carry you far away."
The sword now points at the approaching rider.
The soldier refuses to flee.
"A life is a valuable thing.
What you want to protect must be equally so.
I, Death, will take both from you."
The soldier springs forward.
The wind gathers at his back.
"I protect that which you will never touch."
Death dispatches the man without flinching.
The army proceeds through the gate.
Bewilderment is on every face.
Death and his men are back on the battlefield.
Around them are their dead adversaries.
A light overhead draws their attention.
Wormwood has found its mark.
[/hider]