Up Till Death

Anticipation mounts, a telltale thumping resonates
from one cavernous wall to another.
Time.              Slows.

Seconds turn to minutes; minutes to hours.
Generations ago, his plan was etched in stone,
leaving marks impossible to erase.

A drip of moisture, unable to hold on
plummets through hair that is overly eager.
On the edge of breaching, the dam proves useless.

The faint tapping of feet against wood
marks an end to the agony.  Clenching his teeth
the door opens.

In his hand, he possesses an object
wielding power unequal to its mass.
She enters.  Unbeknown of their fate.