Liberation

A patriarch lies there
bludgeoned to death by a club
in the shape of a woman

bystanders frozen in shock
recall interactions
-foresee a dark future

Is it a fear
or a nightmare that will dissolve
at dawn?

A shadow steps out of home
Is that a woman
howling?

petals in garlands
turn to flames
long-held concepts on fire
turning to ashes
before the incinerator shrieks.
Freedom at last…

CAPPING SENRYU

Ashes on the pyre
lighter than illusions – glow
with newfound freedom

---

Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge #64