Poem written as a tribute to a character from a TV series called 'Gormenghast'.

He's called Steerpike, is 200% evil and, er. has great cheekbones.

If you haven't seen it, you should have, and this may not make huge amounts of sense to you- but this is what I felt when he died in the end.

He's not a character you should love, but.I do.

Red

Red. Red in the river, billowing clouds get ever chased further, Thinner by the winds. I watch you like you watched them. Watch you die. Saw the avenging figure leap from his perch, Or was it you that rushed up to meet him? Saw your mouth open in an 'O' of surprise- Why were you surprised? Never thought Of metal, like a slice of ice within your body, Where it didn't belong, did you?

Saw your eyes flick, shocked, wide, Saw your face contort, Saw your body, bowstring-taut, Saw your fingers clutch the air. Helpless for the first and last time. I didn't look to see his face.

Now you leave me, As he stands ashen and gasping, Watching you like I watched you. Watching you die. Coldly rigid now, lips stained redder than the rose you gave to her, And I know why. Without ceremony, sailing until the red melts to black, And your silent screaming stops ringing in my ears.

Still the watery scarlet tendrils unfurl, so delicate, Reaching out to their only witness.