Lost Faces

By Zhee

A face stares back at you.. vaguely familiar
Something about the eyes?
Maybe...
Defiance?
Perhaps...
Fierce independence?
Probably...
Courage?
Ummm...not quite there, yet!
What then? Weakness?
No, not at all!
So, why does fear lurk in the shadows behind that stricken expression?
That's because you can't see the chained feet, the shackled hands. You are probably blind to the gun pressed against the back of the head....
So why is the horror silent?? Why does terror not scream itself hoarse? Or are the cold iron hands of dread choking the life out of those trembling, vibrating cords?
No, stand back and watch...You'll see the chains growing...wrapping themselves around the body the like the tail of a giant python...thorns piercing through the brain like poison tipped icy fangs...
Why is it fading? Where is the face disappearing to?
Tiny iron fragments are weaving together to lock away the face in the chasms of obscurity...flung into a blazing cauldron, filled with molten hate...
What for?
To remould a mask on that faceless soul...
So what's left behind the mask? Rot? Decay? Maggots crawling out of empty sockets?
True...it is disintegrating...watch it fall apart...crumble into the nothingness it was born from, into the emptiness it was bred into - the void it became...
But what about the soul? Truly the soul lives eternally, does it not? Doesn't the soul cry out? Does it not speak?
No! Not anymore! The soul is now a mere reflection - and a reflection has no voice...the soul was there only to be plucked and hurtled into a blind abyss with all the other mute visions, crying through their blighted sight for the faces they lost...
This is insanity!
Maybe...
Lost them to what? Indifference? Ignorance?
No...Mirrors!!!
Mirrors?
Yes.. mirrors that caught them and painted them all in the same reflection - till each face was them. So how does the face look?
It's staring at me through its mutated ugliness, piercing right through me...as if trying to impale me upon its dark, ghastly reflections...
Familiar?
Yes..vaguely familiar..disturbingly so...as if those empty eyes are devouring my face...with a hunger so fervent it burns through my flesh...
Recognize that ravenous darkness?
Yes...I suppose I do...
Good!
Well then...what do I do?
Nothing...just break the mirror??!!

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.
Copyright 2004 Zheala
Published on Saturday, August 7, 2004.     Filed under: "Poetry"
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Comments on "Lost Faces"

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  • A former member wrote: You are wonderful, sweet Zhee. Just wonderful..

  • A former member wrote: wonderful.. i have the tendency to find broken mirrors more beautiful than wholes anyway.. the mood and questioning of this peice led you further and further until it shattered at the end. lovely.

  • A former member wrote: by the way.. my favorite part was "The soul is now a mere reflection - and a reflection has no voice..."

  • Angst Queen On Friday, October 8, 2004, Angst Queen (370)By person wrote:

    ::shudders:: i'm suddenly feeling very cold...great work

  • Dayer On Thursday, September 9, 2004, Dayer (162)By person wrote:

    wow...damn...wow....this rocks I can so relate

  • A former member wrote: You know Zhee, I was going to do a piece called STOLEN FACES, but haven't. This is my kind of work. Post more. Welcome to DP. ~Shane~

  • Northstar On Saturday, August 7, 2004, Northstar (375)By person wrote:

    *wow* -- I can totally relate to the themes you so eloquently express here--so nicely done

  • capt_funguy On Saturday, August 7, 2004, capt_funguy (778)By person wrote:

    oh man ... this made me feel really uncomfortable ..relentless , drilling ... and dedicated to itself , no bright side .... great work .. funguy

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