the roll of thunder
begs a nurtured cry
counting down a lightning strike
stripped silence and smothering light

dust gathers in the silhouette
tethered for a downward crawl
hopes only exit
surrenders to intrinsic

vicious and sincere is the device
a glimpse of a gleam off steal
forging shape into links
rattling the weight of a chain

the tongue of destiny
that is where my name lies
whispers for a state of grace
how subtle is perdition