“The Abyss”

(Preceding Quote)

“Life is simply an abyss---Humans are eternally damned to gasp for the air of salvation as their souls suffocate under the darkness of that abyss."

(Story)

She had never missed it before…

She watched the train as it railed away into the distance. For a brief moment she felt disheartened; it was as if she had missed the last train to escape this world---a train that was going to take her to some Utopia, or anywhere else she could get rid of the putrid smears of evil that surrounded her.

Her name was Danica Lopez. She had exotic, caramel skin plastered all over her face and piercing, green eyes; giving her a queenly bearing and elegance fit for a goddess. Lest we forget the smooth, black hair that flowed to her knees, causing her to exude a beauty so impeccable she could have passed for a fallen angel. She had now been married to Richard for 15 years and her daughter Marissa, was still treading along the seas of adolescence, dodging their violent waves here and there as she searched for a shore to build her identity fort on.

She looked around the train station and was greeted by the grim faces of those that had also missed their ride. They stood around, motionless; sacrificing themselves to the cold winds of Toronto. Strangely, all of them were gazing at the rising sun, which was now spraying flicks of orange light across the sky. Soon the ghostly fog that had blanketed the city disappeared---it was now time for heaven’s all-seeing-eye to show off its beauty.

As Danica continued prying around, she caught sight of a peculiar young girl holding her mother’s hand firmly; as if to confirm her innocence and need for protection. She had curly, brown hair crowned with dandelions and was also wearing a vibrant, yellow dress engraved with red roses. She began looking directly at Danica with an inquisitive look on her face; one that read, “Who are you Danica, What are you hiding beneath that mask of yours: Fear? Depression? Paranoia?

“All of the above,” Danica silently answered back with a stare. (or was it a glare?)

It was now quite sunny; but the cold winds were still there, prowling around and cursing everyone in their path. Danica began to imagine herself on some island resort soaking up the sun’s heat and sipping a pina-colada to cool her soul. But then her thoughts trailed away, allowing Dr Stephens’ words to sip into her mind once again, like a serpent’s venom.

“Your pancreas has been severely damaged by the cancer; you only have about two years to live, Mrs. Lopez,” he had said, speaking as if he was already standing in front of a corpse.


She had known about the Pancreatic Cancer for quite some time, but she had hoped to survive it just like the battles she had fought before to spare her life. She decided not to scar her mind thinking about what was to become of her beloved husband, Richard---who was noble and blessed with the kindness of a saint. And then her prodigal daughter, who had thankfully begun to shed off the ego that had stolen her heart.

The pain was just too much for her to bear. She then decided that she was going to free herself; to escape the darkness that had been suffocating her soul. So there she was, striding slowly towards the edge of the station platform; ready to fly out of her misery. Desperation raided her fractured conscience, causing her to believe that this was the day of redemption---a chance for her to disappear from the abyss before the darkness devoured her.

A speeding train suddenly came into view, causing Danica’s heart to pound angrily against her lungs as if yearning to be freed. She quickly ascended onto the tracks as the train drew closer---However, an image of her daughter suddenly flashed before her eyes. She was five, with eyes that lit under the sun and a necklace of innocence wrapped around her neck.

“Mamá! Mamá!----Regrese a Mí! Mamá. !” [Come Back to Me], her daughter cried out.

But it was too late…

“Blemishes of Imperfection”

They have cluttered my heart,
Like crows scattered across the sky on a summer’s day.
They sprout endlessly like weeds vomited by the soil;
And the serpent continues to breathe life into them with its silent hisses.

How could his only begotten son be so pure?
How did he avoid inhaling the stale air of sin that lingered in the atmosphere,
Clogging the lungs of those that had once beamed with the light of righteousness.
“He took heed of the holy word of God,” it is said.

Well I tried feeding on those holy words ravenously,
Hoping to nourish myself with purity and virtue.
But I’m still feeble and weak as I bear this vile, cloak of blemishes.
I feel like a caged bird; and my redemption song joins the whispers in the air without being heard.