The Mortal Limit
Inspired by "Mortal Limit" by Robert Penn Warren
How far and how vast is the sky
that stretches over head like blown glass
that shimmers with shadows and shapes
like the ripples in an indefinite ocean
How deep and how perilous is the mountain root
which pierces through the earth like some spear
that is shoved into a vermilion forge with care
that glows bright like a ripe lemon
about to burst from the pressure
How cold and how burning are the desert sands
that hiss and spit like some venomous snake
with sparkling, coiled quartz scales
that twinkle and fall over curves like stars
with nothing but a indiscernible pull to guide them
How brief and how terrifying is the mortal limit
that which we cannot deny or change
for even the altering sky is caught in a wheel
and the steadfast mountain root is worn away by the clock
and the desert sands are lifted from grounding chains
So when the mortal limit comes
do not fear its sudden descent
for even the matriarch of time
cannot break such restraints
About the Creator
Amanda Starks
Lover of the dark, fantastical, and heart-wrenching. Fantasy writer, poet, and hopefully soon-to-be novelist who wants to create safe spaces to talk about mental health. Subscribe to my free newsletter at www.amandastarks.com for updates!
Keep reading
More stories from Amanda Starks and writers in Poets and other communities.
Blossom
A dead past does not put a halt to a new future. A year later, Kaffy, a highly intelligent, creative, bookish, and preppy Nigerian-Canadian 15-year-old girl was released from juvenile prison. She was arrested and charged with petty theft and assault, and was sentenced to a year in prison. Her sentence was supposed to be 6 months for stealing a lollipop, a chocolate bar, a pack of playing cards, and a bag of Cheeto's cheesies from 7-Eleven, but she received another 6 months for kicking, punching, and hitting another female inmate across the face during an altercation in the canteen.
By Talia Devora7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (1)
Ohhhh, my goodness. The power in the speaker's voice is phenomenal. I'm addicted to reading this one, omg. "How cold and how burning are the desert sands that hiss and spit like some venomous snake with sparkling, coiled quartz scales that twinkle and fall over curves like stars with nothing but a indiscernible pull to guide them" How great is that image? "Sparkling, coiled quartz scales" -- sand as a snake. Now that is a new one for me, and I am in love with that comparison. This poem is amazing. "Mortal limit" -- the limit of the material. Definitely something that's been on the mind recently...very interesting to think about.