GUTHRIE CASTLE
Snowflakes danced in blinding darkness at they
were fondled by the gale then caressed the trees
like fingertips learning unfamiliar braille.
A lonely Fey stood at the portal and yearned
to ride the storm but turned in solace to
the fire in her desperate venture to be warm.
She stared into the writhing flames and was
spellbound by the blaze they came to life
within her eyes as brilliant, incandescent rays.
She sought within the soaring sparks a way
to exorcise her pain then of the cinders she
glimpsed his smile and went immediately insane.
The image flickered invitingly and mutely swore
he'd set her free murmured in an exhale the
Demon said, 'Come dance with me'
Driven by her vacant psyche as well as carnal
need she felt his flames lick greedily in raucous
trials to plant his seed. The ghoul writhed and
spat impatiently beckoning in bold allure His
Hounds of Hell bayed hungrily till he consumed
the evil cur. From the dark side of the glowing coals
at last rose the demonic Ghost Held out a hand
of burning embers and the Fey untied with her host.
Through the Gateway they did travel, Her
screams trampled in his roar Consummation
incinerated-- and the fire was no more.
Snowflakes still cavort erratically, the wind
nurses from the flue and silence smolders in
the ashes among a Fairies wing or two.
Was the toll she paid to seek desire the ransomed
feelings he evoked? Seems she sold her soul to waltz
with Fire but all that's left are wisps of smoke.
Diane Elizabeth Stanley
"The Golden
Butterfly"
by Mary Baxter St. Clair
