There were rumours
- the kind whispered
around a campfire
or in bed after lights out -
of a goddess hidden away,
trapped on earth
many centuries ago,
gaze uncovered
so that she might witness
the atrocities of humanity.

If the darkest tales are true,
when the time comes,
when the bindings fail,
when she escapes,
mad with rage,
she will break the earth
and all upon it.

Even so, it is said that
she alone can save us.


NCL July 2019