She was their mother
And they were her children
They had no family except for each other
Forgotten by the rest of the world
All brothers and sisters
In forlorn harmony
And she was their mother
Young and beautiful
Always smiling
She led each one by the hand
Cooked fresh meals
Read stories
Sang in tune with the baby-grand
And snugly tucked them in at night
Because she was their mother
And they were her children.
Then they left.
Without warning, they disappeared
Each one, down to the smallest little toddler
Who could barely say his name
All disappeared
And their mother watched
Helpless
As the orange and red serpents took her children away
All she could do was hold her head and sob
As her world disintegrated
Her home, her job, her future
Her children
Died with one spark from Fate's searing cruelty
Their mother was left alone
Now she had no one
And nothing but the screams that rang through her head.
Time passed
Their mother was saved
She grew and changed
The power lying dormant inside of her awakened
With the help of others, she nurtured it
And it blossomed
With it she went on many adventures
Gained allies
Made friends
Her sunken spirit lifted from the grave
Beams from a light once overtaken by soot
Now dance brightly within her
She can smile again
Loving life once more
Her future is brighter than ever
Filled with the people she now shares it with.
And yet
Deep inside of her mind
Locked away tight in an iron chest
In cold dark room filled with lonely toys
Away from the flashing lights and blaring music
Here lies the shattered remains of their mother's life:
The heat of the blaze
The smell of the smoke
The wails of her children
Here their mother hides her ceaseless tormentors:
Regret, that she did not do more for them
Sorrow, that they will never return
Shame, that she could not help them
Here cry the tattered memories of her children
Misshapen into jet black demons of ash
Asking, "Why?"
"Why did you let us die?"
So their mother will never truly soar the skies in freedom
Even if held down by only the smallest pinch of ash
No matter how kindly love embraces her
Because they will always be there
Concealed by her happy smile
Because she is their mother
And they were her children.