marley’s maxim

the frozen soil crumbled falling into my eyes and horrified mouth as I gripped the sodden roots on the rim of the pit my strength waning, (and my will) … at the bottom of the hole, a wooden casket yawned like the jaws of Death itself lid open and shaking like a splintered tongue the glow of Hell's embers below it ... flames licking its sides and reaching up to the soles of my feet but not with heat rather, an intolerable coldness that made my marrow ache for an end … as my grasp weakened and the roots of the twisted old tree slipped thru my hands I looked up at the stars - winking like candles and said a prayer for my soul the ragged clang of Marley’s chains still torturing my ears and the crooked, bony finger of the Reaper wagging with reproach his coal black eyes sparkling and lifeless as the sky drew away and I fell ... to my wretched doom.