Crucible Of Fire

• Matthew Hooper, Grade 09, Woree State High School
• Poetry
• 2014

Excellence Award in the 'The Text Generation 2014' competition

Blood-red eyes; piercing cries;
a mouth that conceals the gates of hell.
Fiery breath; certain death;
it sets its target, deadly and well.
Upon my chest it fires its best:
a golden-red conflagration.
My skin concealed by a puny shield;
the beast laughs at my degradation.
I pray to the lord and pull up my sword,
and hope that this isn’t suicide.
Razor-sharp stab, bloody jab;
and a sting deadlier than cyanide.
The beast falls, struggles and crawls,
with a puddle of blood spilling lightly.
Last breath; certain death;
I have proved that I am mighty