Haiku: Treachery

[valis2]

Title: Treachery
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst
Summary: The final battle. Severus thinks about Remus, and his own betrayals. Written for the December 2005 lupin_snape Haiku challenge.



I wanted you then
and now and all of the time
that is in-between.

There was a day, light,
a time for dreaming such things;
no, there never was.

I would be just as
empty as the open palm
if it meant you, here.

Ours is not to have.
Mine is to burn with a brand.
Yours is to struggle.

There is treachery,
and there is treachery, and
yes, I have done both.

You always left me
for them. But where are they now?
You will die alone.

You stand, smile that
insufferable smile,
and I can't kill you.

Another burst, cold
light from a silver hand, and
you, betrayed, again.

I watch as you fall,
still holding an inner grace
that I cannot find.

I have killed the rat,
no time for his beggardly
pleading. You still breathe.

This act of potion
to your cooling lips, my hands
shake, yes, treachery.

I have bowed to red
eyes and blue eyes. I have kept
myself a secret.

This fluttering of
your eyelids, this is as close
to truth as I get.

You are the center,
I am in orbit, adrift,
nothing hurts like this.

Both sides now know my
shameful heart's allegiance. I
will not see tonight.

Another flash, green,
you wince as it misses you
and strikes the bare earth.

I turn and kill, it
is an instinct, I react,
he was my friend once.

You grab my wrist, I
know you don't understand. I
can't say that I do.

There is a dying
scream, far off, it rattles my
bones, the Mark burns hot.

There is darkness then,
something that tastes like regret,
a shiny cold dream.

At first I see stars.
Betrayal saves me again.
Others are crying.

You are there, and you
do not trust me, but there is
the light in your eyes,

and tomorrow will
see a set of promises
I will try to keep.

Comments

[tudorpot.livejournal.com]

I have bowed to red
eyes and blue eyes. I have kept
myself a secret.

This portrays so much in so few words. Amazing. I've never read a series of Haiku before, an interesting format.Very well done.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Thank you so very much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I remember it took a long time to put together, and I'm still happy with the results, so that's something!

Treachery

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

Absolutely stunning! I love haikus.

My favourite? *has a hard time picking one*

Ours is not to have.
Mine is to burn with a brand.
Yours is to struggle.

There is treachery,
and there is treachery, and
yes, I have done both.

I like the Ours - Mine - Yours pattern of the first one. But the second one - it rocks. And it's a great comment on the title as well.

Re: Treachery

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so very much! I'm so glad that you liked this. I love the treachery verse best as well! :)

[tjwritter.livejournal.com]

Oh! My angst-loving heart beats so hard for you right now! These are powerful and so much sad with so few words and the vagueness that is so rich in the haiku form is so wonderfully done!

Off to read more!!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh YAY! I'm so glad you read this--the Snupin haikus are my faves, hands down. Thank you SO much for your awesome comment, you are so made of win!! *hugs*