No Way Out

When things go bad they tend to do it in a hurry!

There's no way out.

How did I get here?

A scream and a shout,

The shadow of fear.

The offer was bold.

“Come with me,” she said.

The alley was dark,

But I went ahead.

They came out of the dark,

There were six in all.

My choices were stark,

I could fight or fall.

I took two with my knife,

That made me a gap.

So I ran for my life,

Thought I was out of their trap.

But I made a wrong turn,

Now I'm in a dead end,

No more options to burn,

No chance of help from a friend.

The four killers close in,

My cries go unheard.

I know I can't win,

My heart shudders like a bird.

I resolve to sell my life dear.

That I'm going to die, I have no doubt.

Determination banishes fear.

There's no way out.

© 2018 The Iron Horseman

Author's Note

Just a story poem (my favorite kind) about the potential downside of giving in to temptation...

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love the way you've told this story seemingly about someone being jacked in the flesh but the sequence symbolizes how we hijack ourselves by taking wrong turns in life, as described in your authors note. You know I love rhyme & rhythm, so I have to admire your lyrical word crafting. There's just one bump and that's the word "flutters" (like a bird) . . . it's too flimsy of a sensation for this action-packed & suspenseful scene. I'd imagine something more dramatic such as "screeching" (like a bird). But of course everyone has their preferences! *smile* Fondly, Margie

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you for all your kind words, Margie. You make a very good point about 'flutters'. I'm not keen on any variant on 'screech' as an alternative, because I want a sensation related to feeling rather than something audible. I will try to come up with something, because I totally agree with your point and now I won't be able to let it go! :)
If you can come up with something, please let me know.
You really are the best, you know! :)

[barleygirl]

vibrates like a bird . . . shudders . . .
perturbed like a bird . . . hope this sparks something interesting! *smile*

[The Iron Horseman]

Shudders! I like 'shudders'! Thank you, Margie.

[BBP]

Another good one here! Dark alleys, knives and death. Can't go wrong with a write if that trio's involved. Great imagery and I love a story poem too, in fact I don;t think I really know how to write anything else. lol

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, BBP. I'm glad you had fun with it. I agree with you - even most of my songs are stories!
Incidentally, I recently published a Western novel called 'Gunfighter Summer'. Check it out on Amazon or Kindle if you enjoy a good gunfight!

[BBP]

How did I not know this already! I will be looking for that!

[The Iron Horseman]

I hope you enjoy it. I had fun writing it!

[Jade]

Oh wow! I really like your writes so far, Awesome writing!

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks again, Brandie. Take a look at 'The Winter Witch'. It's a song lyric, and it's a particular favorite of mine. Also the Huntress poems are fun.

[Paul Bell]

The moral of this story should be.
Only go down alleys with strange girls armed with a condom and a machine gun.

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! In what order are they to be deployed?

[Paul Bell]

STDs can be worrysome. I'm going for the condom.

[The Iron Horseman]

Or the proverbial ten-foot pole? :)

[Onlyme]

Oh my god, this is dramatic, atmospheric, tense, scary and sad. Even more so heartbreaking at the end. Makes you want to weep. Great read but tragic.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks, Dawn. I'm glad you enjoyed it.