08/06/2026
THE DARK NIGHT SERIES
================
12. The Last Walk
============
bare feet trod the damn path
of rose petals and spongy grass
she's on her way to lake pristine
of worldly pleasures, craving crass
soon
the grass begins to scrape
the soles of her feet
its soft tickle quickly turns into sores
her feet begin to bleed
leaving behind
savage, red footsteps
the fragrance of red roses
stuffs up her nose
nostrils to lungs
and overflows
it itches and hurts
like sharp flying dirt
the smell knocks off her senses
the scathes begin to deepen
blood trickles down
over to the lips down the chin
she raises her wrist and wipes it off
sniffs up the reminiscent blood
hoping to wash it in the lake
she walks faster
her feet, her senses, bleed faster
she stumbles by the damn lake
that is the epitome of material pleasures
ah! the lake ... so perfect
reflects like a flawless mirror
stunned by its magical beauty
she watches the reflections
stirring up on the surface
images of loved faces
appear ... and ripple out
she gazes like a statue would gaze
unfelt, like a statue would feel
the blood under her nose begins to crust
the blood under her sole
dries up to a sole
she gazes like a statue would gaze
water so clear you could count the sand grains
water so cool to soothe all your innate fires
a view so serene
you would never want to leave
mesmerized, standing for hours
a music from far rings into her ears
It's the wake-up call
The lake's marvels
the coolth of the water
has shades of trap
the more it pulls her
the more she repels
the illusions break down
as she begins to recall
the truth of reality
A chill breeze from the skies
scathes her spine
she shivers and shudders
still standing by the lake
but now
She knows what to do
determined
she takes a deep sigh
and lifting up her skirt to ankles
she dips her toes into the lake
Slowly stepping into the water
Pacing deeper and deeper
Until neck deep
Ah! the ecstasy
Ah! These worldly pleasures
they do feel divine
But she is resolute
Slowly she begins to swim
Ignoring the soft, cool hugs
Spitting out the honeydew water
across the depths
Across the whirlpools
undeterred and wild
until she reaches the other shore
she's soaking wet
the strings of water on her body break
and drop by drop
The beads of worldly pleasures
begin to roll off her
she keeps crawling
Thru the muddy shore
Thru the swamp
her elbows bleed
Leeches on her knees
yet unstoppable
she lands
and up she stands
beyond the edge of the lake
Tired, but liberated
She turns back
just once
To look at the lake
One last time
and gives it
a cunning, farewell smirk
