By Tabitha Lindstrom

I am behind you, father of songs, through fog and stifling obsidian darkness.
Although you cannot hear me sing in time
with the melody from your lyre,
I pray you trust that I will return
to your side once the brightness
of the sky falls upon us.
I see doubt wrap itself around your throat,
acrid crimson smoke suffocating you.
The rise and fall of each step brings us closer
to the bitter winter, the barren earth.

I am behind you, my darling, through gathering storms and meager harvests.
Doubt swells viciously in my chest.
What if this was some malicious trick?
Is the figure in front of me an illusion?
Do you trust that I am here with you?
These cave walls echo our song.
Echo our promises like reminders:
We will keep each other safe,
warm with the matches I carry,
happier than we have ever been.

I am right behind you, Orpheus, as dazzling sunlight casts across stones at your feet.
I have not been blessed with this sun in ages,
felt the warm caress of its rays upon my skin.
Soft snow falls upon the empty branches of trees,
subdued fragrance of pine and cinnamon floats
in the sharp breeze, senses tricked into tasting hazel nut.
Orpheus, my darling, the father of songs, son of a muse, we are nearly there,
inches away from salvation.
Only a few more steps.

I am in front of you, Orpheus, for you have turned to meet my eye.

Heat of life that flowed through my veins turns icy,
slipping from my grasp like petals of scarlet carnations
withered on our bedside, just as I wither before you.

Nearly there, Orpheus, yet I am struck by your mourning gaze
sentencing me to eternity in hell.
In these final moments I try to tell you this is not your fault.
All that can escape my throat as the air is stolen from my lungs is your name,
quiet as the breeze.

–

Tabitha Lindstrom (she/her) is currently earning her BA in English / Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She has had a lifelong love for reading and writing. She was previously published in Issue 8 of Variety Pack and 2 Rules of Writing. You can find her @tabitha.lindstrom on Instagram.