The Black Rose

Sometimes when my anxiety arises, I contemplate whether to cut or take an anti-anxiety pill and I fight with myself that I am stronger than both.

The moonlight shimmers
Against the glossed road.
A lonely black rose,
Carried by the harsh wind,
Sits in a puddle.

I grasp the wet stem;
Her thorns stab through my skin,
Releasing toxins of shadows
Deep into my veins.

Her venom
Seizes every inch
Of my body.
My eyes
And hair
Now painted black.

She squeezes my heart
Out of my rib cage.
She fills my lungs
With weights.
And she dances
Throughout me
Causing me to shake.

I yell,
“Please don’t make me bleed!”
I scream,
“Please don’t make me swallow!”
She laughs,
“Ha, you are threatening me?
What, are you not strong enough
To play my game?”

I drop to my knees.
Tears flow,
Her poison
Discoloring them.

I yell,
“Please don’t make me slice!”
I scream,
“Please don’t make me gulp!”

I breathe in deeply,
And exhale,
Expelling Rose’s smoke.
“NO!” she screeches.

The rain
Crashes to Earth,
Washing away
Her dark ways.

Purple light

Illuminates 

From the palm of my hand.

It surrounds Rose

And she disappears 

Into thin air.

________________________________________________________

mental illness awareness jewelry

Awards:

 2nd: killing horror 

May 8, 2013

• Most Horrifying Horror
• The Black Rose

Author's Note

Yes, I made the stanzas to be that way. Hope you enjoyed the reading. Any and all criticism is appreciated. Take Care! Stay Strong! :)

Reviews

[DaturaBlossoms]

I liked the wording and execution of the first half. Good work overall.

[Blue Belle]

Thanks

[Ravyne Hawke]

I like the personification of the rose and how it's blackness is a poison. The rose seems so sure that you are not strong enough to escape it's evil ways. I think the rain at the end is such a powerful metaphor for regaining some strength and being washed anew. Excellent work!

[Blue Belle]

Thank you so much! :)

[Matthew Kult]

Hello Amanda,

Venonously creative and cruel

Always,

Matthew
A.

[Blue Belle]

Thanks

[Jayden Ireton]

Very good work. It has great imagery and strong words. I enjoyed the darkness of the roses ways. I tend to gravitate to the dark writing. I love how the rain washed away darkness. Great work. Keep it up.

[Blue Belle]

Thank you so much! :)

[SyberRose]

I especially liked the first verse about the black rose...and also the rain saving you from death. And hopefully the night became alive with dead roses. SyberRose

[Blue Belle]

Thank you! :)

[Trigorin]

Not bad. I think the ending is a little lackluster compared to the buildup it's given, though - maybe rework it?

[Blue Belle]

Alright, thanks