Gates of Heaven

The Huntress

In a village not far from here,
The residents all live in fear,

Of an ugly, frightening foe,
A dreaded beast that hides in snow.

They say the beast comes straight from hell,
They say it has a putrid smell,

They say its scales are blue and white,
They say its eyes glow red at night,

They say one look turns you to ice,
They say it doesn't have a vice.

I know how hurtful lies can be.
I know because that beast is me.

The huntress tiptoes, spear in hand,
Her stance prepared; her combat planned.

Ebony hair and crystal eyes,
She fixates on the beast's demise.

Cheeks flushed scarlet from the cold,
Her beauty dazzling to behold.

It's always me she comes to slay,
Still, I can't seem to keep away.

Beguiled each time I see her form,
My frozen heart begins to warm.

I slink in shadows, moving slow,
As she treads softly through the snow.

Dressed in homespun light brown leather,
She faces a harsh change in weather.

The lightning strikes an ancient tree,
She scans the scene, too close to see,

The tree that she's been standing under,
Collapsing with a surge of thunder.

Faster than it takes to blink,
Brain doesn't even stop to think.

One leap, I push her to the ground,
Before the tree comes crashing down.

My face revealed; the beast unmasked;
"You saved me. Why?" the huntress asks.

"I love you." My first words in years.
"What happened?" she asks through her tears.

"A tragic fire; my life transformed,
It left my body so deformed,

"I was forced to leave my home,
And now I wander on my own."

She strokes my cheek, a touch so true,
"It seems I've been the beast, not you,

"Now you're no longer on your own,
Come with me, I'll take you home."