The Family

The precipice was steep

She looked down

The vultures had descended

Tearing their flesh apart

Time had passed swiftly

For the stench was now assailing her

Borne as it was

On the wings of the breeze

Memories were evoked

They flashed past one by one

Like slides in a movie

Mocking at the characters

The mother- petite and vibrant

Dressed in flowing gowns

An ideal wife and mother

Or was it the wife alone?

The father- tall and handsome

Grown rich through hard work

Marrying an heiress

Was not an easy task

A brother also figured in the picture

Younger than she was

Strumming his guitar all day long

He idolized his sister

Hailed as the 'perfect' family

Perfection embodied in them

Her mouth twisted in a sneer

As she remembered the perfect imperfection

Emotions flickered across her face

The whole gamut of them

Pain, agony, shame, fear

Anger, madness, satisfaction

She'd dreaded those nights

When he would return home

While she waited to hear his tread

Ascending her stairs

She'd tried locking the door

After that first time

But the repercussions had been too severe

Her back still bore the welts

She'd then told her mother

Received a slap for that confidence

Labelled a whore and a slut

By the woman who had borne her

She knew it was a refusal

To accept what she must've known

He'd done it with others

Now it was her daughter's turn

She bore it silently

The tears hardened to pearls

More precious than real ones

In their desire for vengeance

She remembered the day so well

As if it were yesterday

Her brother had entered her room

And witnessed the silent rape

He'd not even had time

To register his protest

The outstretched hand was stopped midway

Muffled forever

Her volcano of anger erupted

Lava had spewed forth

The pain would come later

When she had had time to reflect

She had planned it meticulously

None of the easy ways out

She'd butchered him to pieces

One for each night

He'd begged her mutely through his eyes

Once she'd cut off his tongue

The lascivious tool of torment

She'd chopped off bit by bit

The bitch had also got

The dessert she deserved

No pity did she warrant

But a clean slice was enough

She'd waited in the dark

Knowing they would come

Today at the gallows she saw them

Waiting in the Underworld