soul hunting

crack the shells that held them in
loose the breath, the wind
tinkle blue in chiming crystal as they pass
pass on, pass on, to freedom or to death
who knows?
destroy, destroy the cages
that slash them from the whole
diminished by their absence
melting into one
undo what he has done

hold the bright pulsing sphere
taste so briefly, the golden glow
press, press, hard, upon this glinting egg
set free what he has stolen

and wonder not at all
if he was right

-- Kathryn A