Three Haiku 1 A shimmering queen Embellished in her riddles Fall or flee. Your choice She radiated power. Sparkled like a divine presence, undeniably alluring. She had authority, handed to her by no one but respected by everyone. She had control, influence. A shimmering queen ruling over lies and falsities. She didn’t speak in words, she spoke in challenges, mazes. She was woven from tricks and puzzles, embellished in riddles she wore like jewelry. When she disagreed, she conquered. She would give you two options: fall or flee. Your choice.
2 The golden seas boil Fire yells under the waves Dragging down the ship The falling sun glows in the churning water. The split between sky and sea puzzles the struggling sailors; the water is fierce and stormy while the sky is clear, warm colors luminescent in the sparse clouds. In the water, the sky’s reflection looks metallic and dangerous, like golden flames consuming the strained wood of the ship. The water doesn’t appear to be a direct reflection of the sky either; the colors look more potent with strong hints of bright orange and red not found in the sky. The water reaches up the sides of the ship, forceful tendrils trying to tip it over. As the water floods the deck, cargo and men alike are swept up in the current. Only the seething water and the cries of the men break the silence; there is no wind or rain or clashing of a storm. The seas start to boil and the sailors finally come to the horrified realization that there is a storm, but it is under the surface. Fire yells under the waves in a whirlwind below the water, not above. Currents of flame pass below the sailors, singeing holes in the wood. The resistant ship begins to lose its clutched grip on the surface as the water drags it into the eye of the storm.
3 The hourglass sand Falls over you where you stand Your time’s almost up You can feel it, can’t you? Time slipping through your fingertips like sand slips down an hourglass. And you are inside that hourglass, its streaming sand falling on your head and shoulders, each grain bruising you like rocks pelting your skin. It is my constant reminder to you that you have an
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