The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Drawing
by Linda Lee Rice

My throat parched, eyes burn, one foot drags behind

I wander through the wasteland, mind unhinged

path not of my choosing, destination unknown

my steps draw me further into burning sunset

.

Chaos has reigned ever since the takeover

the insects disappeared first, the birds next,

brutal, unyielding in their ravenous hunger

the enemy saps the life and essence of each species

.

The fish in the ocean, marine life, whales

degraded into nothingness, shells unclaimed,

just waves lap greedily at the shores

the sand untouched, designs by current and wind

.

Animal species were next, no matter the size

roaring, howling and beastly screams in the night

then uncanny silence within the darkness, dawn breaks

the horrific battle over before it even begun

.

The unknown came in the night, silent, deadly

it drew ever closer, sunset becoming its pawn

unsuspected, passive until realization finally dawns

horror finally realized, terror strikes without cease

.

Now it’s my turn to feel the drawing, 

all plants now sentient, they fight back

tired of the damage, of the chemicals, the lack of respect

the kingdom of the green has had enough

.

I see the tree in the distance, stark, bold, proud

as I approach closer I hear a faint sigh,

the lean branches bend down, the bark scratched me

as it cradles me and I hear “I thirst” as it begins to drink

Fiction © Copyright Linda Lee Rice
Image © Copyright Rie Sheridan Rose

More about Linda Lee Rice:

Linda Lee Rice aka Ruzicka has poetry published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Descending Darkness, Writing Village, Spine, and Page, Muses Gallery, Bloodbond, Lycan Valley Press Publishers, Alban Lake, Highland Park Poetry, Rosette Maleficarum, The Siren’s Call, Edify Fiction and the June Cotner anthology, “House Blessings” and “Garden Blessings

She has short stories published in The Grit, and Reminisce, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family, FrostFire Worlds. Plus, a personal essay at Mamalode. She also has various articles and blogs published online as a freelance writer.