As Midnight Bells Pealed

In the vortex of a maelstrom, I was rudely thrown drowning in turbulent waters for an error I bemoan, a blunder of loving someone who chose to whittle away at my heart until it became fragile and brittle Bereft beyond the point of caring if I lived or died My eyes were scarlet, burning from tears I'd cried But they became transfixed, immutable on a fire stoked for my normally tenuous demeanor had been provoked I was a genteel lady, who demurely acquiesed to love but it was time for me to throw down the gauntlet glove I was chafed by what had been just an interlude for him, an escapade, a mere dalliance, a rascally romantic whim I drew a rough sketch; in likeness of my vagabond swain an abstract portrait, in Picasso's style, the face of my bane Black eyes were hollow, blind orbs that would never see that his triflling peccadillo tryst was a brutal betrayal to me The painting was delivered as twelve bells pealed midnight I watched as he unfolded it, but carefully kept out of sight A formidable opponent I had become to his knavish ways By moonlight I saw his face turn pale; his eyes were glazed * November 3, 2017* Eight Word Challenge-5 Hosted by John Hamilton 8 Words required were: Brittle Immutable Formidable Tenuous Interlude Sketch Bereft Demurely