The Heartbeat of Death

By: Tehniat Fatima Ahmed

Wings flopped, head lowered

This creature is supposed to depict happiness and peace

Yet, all I see in his eyes is anguish

Nevertheless, he smiles

He purrs a tale where his wings became his nemesis

The element of liberty turned into infinite torture

His wings sweep the floor diligently

The blanket of grey gradually turning into ash

His golden strands start changing colour

White being washed by grey

He looks at me intently

His eyes blazing with hatred and blame

His teeth glisten through his lips

Thunder lights his wickedly beaming face up

Opening his fist up, he offers a hand

Terrified and dismantled, my hand slides over his

Gushes of wind envelope us

“My time,” he whispers

Pain is written all over his face yet that grin is plastered

“Like a mosquito caught in a wild hurricane, young one.”

And with those words, his eyes harden into stone.