Memories from Limbo

There was a serpent in me
curling asleep at the bottom of a lake
and the lake was deep and cold,
dark, still water where nothing would live,
nothing would cross or touch
the large, motionless, sharp scales.

Now the serpent is awake outside,
feeding on lust, passion, and anger,
untamed, ungrateful, like the jinni,
to you for waking her up not knowing.
Me, I step back and watch in wonder
the joy of long forgotten emotions.

Nothing arises from my will,
just observing the strong tides come and go,
like bright fresh lava to new senses,
new uninvented words, sounds meaning more
than the letters used to raise them,
for you released what should never be kept.

Time will come to call the dragon
and the fierce birds of fire
to fight for me within my chest
where I keep safe, in secret drawers,
things never seen, never given,
never there to fill my days.

For dragons will be nothing but serpents
with the wisdom of open wings
and a ruthless breath that burns
deeper than the flames we raise and fear.
I shall summon him to come to my help,
for I can only be the struggle of the beasts.