Of Decay Poem by Yevgeny Bazarov

Once it stood a titan, today nothing but a marble stone to serve as a reminder of its former days of might and glory. Gilded statues rising from the ashes of mortality, divinely inspired sculptors praised by the sacrifices of blood and gratitude. A laurel wreath, an earthly halo shining from above, filling hearts with pride and hope. Trumpets thunder storming the path, waving the people in the victorious rhythm with an anxious blaze rushing through their souls, conquering minds in a grandiose splendour of collective harmony. Thick clouds of thyme mixed with fresh rose petals carried by its scent cloaking the sun with a golden chariot resting softly in their shade. Gliding on the breeze of divine melody the parade is envied upon by the gods for it is in a mortal's honour. What a ludicrous display of defiance and audacity, the gods presume. But his strength is that of sulphurous lakes and the rivers of flame. Forged in the depths of Tartarus his heart is hardened by the sorrow of a thousand screams plunged into a pool of eternal fear. From Apollyon's wreath a spark touches the ether, thus giving life to a hero. With wings attached to his iron greaves, an infernal hurricane propels him towards those self proclaimed mighty twelve, decadent and subdued by their own arrogance. In a frenzied roar filled with rage a hero points the end of his sword towards the sky whilst making the deafening noise as the clouds start to crack under the lightning speed of the incoming doom. The Earth trembles and despairs as its womb begins to bleed, spitting warm life through its pores, bringing chaos and destruction. An imploding darkness sucking in celestial beings with the gods making their haste towards the edge of the world as to save their very own lives. What a futile attempt, the hero believes, as he starts to release all of his anger with an exploding sphere of light, mercilessly scorching their hearts of stone. For a moment his eyes caught what appeared to be a white dove peacefully skimming the ocean with dolphins playfully following her path. With a gentle smile on his lips, his body goes numb as it slowly descends towards the infernal vortex ready to embrace him. Finally, he is home.