Collecting all the things that shine

in a journal that neither can be opened 

nor closed

The journal hangs its legs over the cliff of a shelf,

taunting, flaunting

her kingdom

Threatening to jump into the jagged spines of greed

below.

There she goes: wings limp and ugly and flailing 

The jagged spines of greed below ready to greet her

and claw out her torso

Their fangs bleed into her, soften the impact,

welcome her like a stain on a page.

Their breaths collide as they take turns to complete the welcoming.

She is haggard, empty and ugly –

She is betrayed, betrayed by her body

and sinful misuse of these words

and betrayed by the ones who touch her

and betrayed for the sacred sin that she is

for she betrayed the mirror that is the journal

and the journal shall not reach

the Gates of Heaven

as it cannot guard the secrets of the kingdom.