Ouroboros

When the beginnings of self-destruction enter the heart it seems no bigger than a grain of sand. ~ John W. Cheever

Ouroboros

 

I watched the snake coil,

I battled my inner turmoil,

Told myself it would be fine.

 

Life kept going,

The wheels kept turning,

The caterpillar became a butterfly.

 

The snake bit me,

Once and twice,

It promised me it would be nice.

 

I trusted,

Lusted,

Maybe it didn’t lie.

 

The cycle broke,

When we spoke,

Told me I was it,

And it was I.

 

That snake lied,

One night it cried,

Blood in its eyes,

Devouring itself, it tried.

 

It ate and ate,

The night grew late.

 

 

Like the Ouroboros,

We destruct ourselves,

Hoping to rebirth again.

 

But truth be told,

All that’s gold,

Isn’t good my friend.

 

The shiny appearance,

Is mere dissonance,

Waiting for you at the gates.

 

Like the Ouroboros,

We love till we hate,

We think we’re great,

It’s all fake.

 

Like the Ouroboros,

We’ll self destruct,

Till nothings left of us.

 

Don’t break yourself,

To remake yourself,

You’ll only end up lost.

 

Ouroboros,

It only lies.

Spitting venom,

It still cries.

Author's Note

Interpretations may vary, please feel free to share them. Reviews and critiques are welcome.

Reviews

[The XYZ Writer]

Amazing. Your works always hold a sense of truth to them, always speak of something that hinders human kind. This was no different. Imagery played in my head as I read this. A message to us, a sad, truth-speaking poem you have penned.

[Lina Grey]

Impressive, and very well written. I didn't know what Ourobouros was when I first saw this, but now I understand. This poem is truthful and sad, but still a bit hopeful at the end. Great job. Thank you.

[C.R.A.]

Wauw, I'd say that is a poem well written. When reading it I had the picture of a snake biting it's tail in my head (the Ourobouros) Impressive!