made up bride
By h.p. (grade 10)
i dreamt i was orpheus
and you were my bride
i turned around to check
and couldn’t believe my eyes
you didn’t just fall away
you were never there at all
i ran down and yelled at hades
he smiled with a curtain call
mad, sad, man, he proclaimed
there was never a woman there
don’t blame me for your delusions
(a vision of our wedding night, despair)
don’t lie to me, i yelled
as my heart exploded
but he smiled and turned away
(a vision of you, devoted)
i came back to the living world
ran home and became to cry
nobody listened, silence fell
(a vision, did you even really die?)
there were no sounds as i exited
no birds singing or even watching
i went to go visit your grave
(a vision of me, falling)
as i found your headstone
a peculiar sight
no words adorned its face
(a vision, was it always night?)
nearly screaming, i ran to town
everyone seemed so distant
i turned around and realized
(a vision of us, nonexistent)
i faced a mirror
all space, unlimited
i couldn’t see myself fall and cry
(whose grave was it i visited?)
i yelled out for help
(a vision, an unfamiliar voice)
i screamed and teared out my eyes
(a vision, no more visions, please–)
i ran back to hell
(a vision, is this home?)
hades opened up his arms
(i can’t take this anymore)
i didn’t know what to do
(vision, sobbing, bleeding)
i fell into his embrace
(no brain left for thinking)
no words escape my mouth
(i’m fading away, i think)
(a vision, a vision of you)
(no image enters my mind)
(i feel frozen, can i feel?)
i think he’s saying something
(i can’t think, i can’t think)
(could i ever think at all?)
(numbness is all i know)
(suddenly, another voice enters my mind)
that bride of yours
(a vision of you, you, where are you?)
(i see a man looking back at me)
(a vision of snakes, approaching)
(that voice comes again)
look at yourself, won’t you?
(a vision, i can see)
(a vision of myself, clarity)
(a vision of you, oh orpheus)
i’m sorry, eurydice.
(it’s okay, i whisper)
(we’ll be together again)
(oh, my orpheus)
(a bride smiles as she begins her descent.)