Ashes

Through this icy window, wide eyes peer.
Specters of old friends flash me a smile,
falling snow, ashes upon white fear.

Cheeks are hollow, drawn quite tight, severe,
expression cold to silently revile,
through this icy window, wide eyes peer.

Gasp escapes, shivers down spine appear,
memories of betrayals three draw bile,
falling snow, ashes upon white fear.

Hands rise slowly, fingers stabbing here,
visages like slicing knives, hostile.
Through this icy window, wide eyes peer.

Stumbling back, fled has my calm veneer.
Now I know I’ve failed my greatest trial,
falling snow, ashes upon white fear.

Tracked me down to rob my heart of cheer.
Brittle bonds shattered, I’m on an isle.
Through this icy window, wide eyes peer.
falling snow, ashes upon white fear.

Villanelle
Trochaic hexameter
19 lines
132 words