Betrayal
An imminent cloud of smoke
Rising from a fire on a hill:
Distant enough to arouse suspicion
Close enough to make ill-will its mission
And yet we are foolish
Enough to listen
As the embers crackle and die
Not perceiving
That very same fire
Still burning in our eyes
As we turn to others
To give them the murderous kiss
We have received
The black shadow of Death
Marks a stain as it leaves
Not once. Not twice,
Nor even thrice.
Betrayal is imminent,
An ordinary part of life
Where men turn their crosses
Upside down;
No longer a symbol of love
But a symbol of hate
“INRI, what became of your
Righteous crown?”
“Hidden, hidden away
Behind sorry veils
By those that believed
Their transgressions
Had brought them beyond the pale”
Cried He.
But even now
The bitter taste of betrayal
Like a soured wine
Fulfilled a prophecy
That would stand the test of time.
Catherine Lucy Rowland 