Pomegranate Flowers: NaPoWriMo 2022: Katabasis

[4/30/2022]

Dark and warm as the womb of the world,

And vulnerable as a wound

Is my heart’s kingdom.

I descend to my hideaway down a long stone stair.

The caves of my soul harbor living gems,

But its citizens are ghosts and memories,

Visions of maybe-worlds

And misfit monsters.

My teeth shall be stalactites to defend them.

--

I came by this kingdom by leaving

The sunshine and flower-children

For the safety of deep night and bioluminous stars.

I do not regret it, though the juice of my choices is bittersweet.

Though our springs run yellow as citrine,

Our fruits gleam of garnets.

--

I will not be sole princess of this land.

My monsters and my ghosts are heirs and sisters,

Adopted monarchs of the caves we roam.