Road of Bone
/Chloe DeVos
I dig my heels into each craggy crack,
And feel icy claws dig into my back.
Shadows dance around me; I’m not alone,
Wandering this road of bone.
Gargoyles watch with crumbling eyes
As I whisper goodbyes
To silver moonbeams, to wilted dreams
I hadn’t the chance to see.
It shouldn’t be so hard to climb
This bumpy white path to the sky;
As I trip on ribs and shove away spines,
What do I want to find—
Charred bits of flesh flaking away,
The remnants of a long-lost day?
Nothing will help me here,
Not even a halo will dry my tears.
I let their cries, low and dull,
Pound away at my skull.
Author's Statement about Piece: "I'm fascinated by everything spooky, and I was inspired by the idea of autumn being a time of death and decay. However, I wanted to turn it into a story—one that felt relevant any time of year.
Bio: Chloe DeVos (she/her) is an emerging author, who has crafted numerous poems and stories throughout her youthful journey. Some of her poetry has been published in local journals, such as the Bluebird and Dahlia Zine. She has also published two short stories. Beyond the realm of writing, Chloe finds solace in the strokes of drawing, the pages of manga, leisurely strolls, and delving into the annals of history.
