Only my tears, just my tears

What is the story behind human sacrifices --- especially the one to sacrifice?

What lies behind one’s closed eyes, 
if death has blinded their power of sight? 

Would one still care about the shining sun, 
if decay has eaten bones of all their might? 

What could subtle laughter bring upon --- 
Is there remaining hope, a chance for me? 

If I smile right now, would it be worthy, 
if my lungs would soon hate to breathe? 

Passing moons slowly numbed my agony, 
Waiting for my day in the holy mountain --- 

There’s no escape, no tomorrow, 
I am a girl, barely thirteen --- the chosen sacrifice. 

Why would not the gods’ desire be appeased 
By the great numbers who went before me? 

Why is my corpse so desirably needed? 
My added weight would only sink the boat to afterlife. 

Father, Mother, my dear neighbors, my great elders --- 
Why must I leave this world before I have bloomed? 

Is it yet another law that I must follow and die for, 
That my time stops here and yours to continue? 

My last hours are coming, let me be intoxicated --- 
Dissolve all my deepest yearnings, let it be gone with me. 

I have gravely despised you, up to this very moment, 
In this dark cavern deep in the earth like a frozen hell, 
Wearing elegant clothes to offer myself. 

As the priestesses bolt the door with a selfish slam, 
For a hundred years, my wait has begun. 

I have had my heart kept sleeping within me, 
But tonight, I shall smile --- my tears shall be free. 

Author's Note

I first published this in writers-network.com (04/02/14 ~ Shadowlily)

Reviews

[Honey-Bee]

Wow! Powerful poem! Such a sad story until you hit that last line when she says: But tonight, I shall smile--my tears shall be free. She finally gets her justice. Good write!

[Endeavor]

Thank you very much!