Darius climbs, panting, eyeing the
Jeweled Tree, guarded by the fabulous Phoenix
Who is thought to smell of spices and gleam with
Gold that he wants, he wants.
So he continues, climbing up sharp-rocked cliffs
Cutting his hands, watched by swifts
Who laugh and wonder why he wanted
To go to the Jeweled Tree.
Up he goes, determined, a stoic warrior –
Nay, just a man who suddenly confronts a woman
With a golden diadem like a queen, a queen
Who stares at him with diamond eyes, her face
Beautiful, cold and fierce.
“Why are you here?” She sings and her diadem gleams.
“Why are you taking my gold?”
Darius gasps and almost loses his footing, scrambling.
But the distant queen grabs him, her skin brazen hot
And saves him from certain death.
Oh how she saves him from certain death.
Now Darius leaves the Jeweled Tree, holding
Something close to his chest: a queen’s promise
And her quiet vow to fiercely protect her precious nest.
He never climbs again.
Tweets that mention The Jeweled Tree « The Book Of Phoenii -- Topsy.com said,
December 12, 2009 at 3:49 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Joyce Chng, J. Oda. J. Oda said: RT @jolantru: The Jeweled Tree: http://bookofphoenii.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/the-jeweled-tree/ #webfiction [...]
ysabet said,
December 13, 2009 at 2:23 am
Ooo, pretty!
jolantru said,
December 13, 2009 at 8:23 am
Thank you.