chitinous ball

when all that remains is the chitinous ball
flesh charred to flakes of carbon and wisps
of smoke, broken vessel cleaned up in fires
that consumed all but the memories of pains
fanned into an inferno of a self-immolation
that all that remains is the chitinous ball
and I am that sphere of hardened hope burnt
with the consumption of all else that I was
for a season, for a reason, and I am reborn
and snatched from death. hatched in breath
when all that remains is the chitinous ball


William F. DEVault. all rights reserved.