A tangled web chaotic images form,

Brain twisting shadows of a storm.

What ill befalls right or wrong?

Thunderous echoes memories strong.

Weaving to and fro darkened shadows appear,

Bringing about turmoil twinges of fear.

Anguished moans, disappearance of all that is good,

Ageless travel forgotten in a world misunderstood.

Skeletal eyes through lightning they burn, they see.

A hand holds the head. “Give it to me.”

No. I wish not to hold the dead, a skeleton past,

In a dungeon below the verdict cast.

Be he thief, murderer, or innocent of crime,

Ages ago he was sent to do his time.

Forgotten by many, forsaken by all,

Death found him still chained to this wall.

Past the daring host, the treasure many seek

Rattle of bones, unearthly tones he speaks.

You cannot find it, you cannot retrieve,

For he invades your mind, and you can never leave.

Company he wishes. Infinity he shall want,

Gather together your mind for he will haunt.

The treasure unimportant, just a greed to hold,

Wish I had known before I had grown so bold.

© Cynthia Clark