hades

it's funny that my mother always said
don’t slouch, your spine will stick
because i am so twisted by the
burden of these words
that i may never stand
again.
oh, atlas was a lucky fellow…
to only hold the weight of worlds
would be a godsend,
but here in tartarus
palms cupped with sacrificial fire
recede as quickly as the waters.
and there was ichor
in my veins, i swear,
but the venom in this writhing
mass of snakes and syllables
upon my back has curdled it
beyond compare.
they say to cast this hindrance off,
and i could try.
but the mountaintop still shudders with my name
and i have earned too many steps
to crumble to the bottom.