The Monster of Aneh-ta

Leaving the Oracle’s temples, I pull my hood          up and rub the velvet ruby-red material      against my cheek. I wipe        the tears away as I sign to soothe                      my nerves and to kill the            beast that killed my fiancé. The                                                                     whisper of the oracle still lingers in my ears as I           march through the           woods in search of the labyrinth that holds the           Monster of Aneh-ta.                 Damien took on a quest himself to                      bring back the creature's         head but failed and, as a result,         lost his life. I refuse to face such a             fate myself, so now I march          with the sole intent of bringing back        the beast’s head and                     saving our noble city from its wrath.         As I get closer                to the labyrinth,             I hear the serenade            of the waterfall           that guards it. I              round the corner and        my jaw drops at the sight before me. I                                                              watch this modest waterfall cascade into the           small river below it. I expected a loud roaring presence but am met          by this peaceful place. It almost shakes my resolve to where I had to       fight not to turn around and go home. But at                                                                                  that moment, the sun shines         down on the clearing and I am                awash in this peaceful glow           that the sun’s warmth provides.             I raise my hands and embrace the      warm light with a sigh of soothing        calmness, and suddenly I feel a                                                                            weight drop into my hands. I open my eyes to find the legendary sword         or Swin in my hands. It                        glows with an                                         effervescence that brings me all        the courage I            need to do what I must. I mutter a few words of                                                  thanks to Athena as she strengthens my resolve.         Then begin to march toward the waterfall, prepared to face the                 enigma that is the Monster of Aneh-ta. The flickering torchlight                 allows my eyes to adjust               more easily as I enter the maze below                                                                  the waterfall, and I swallow the last of fear in preparation          for my coming battle. It appears the beast                                                         has been waiting for me as I round the first           corner and encounter it. Suddenly, the beast roars and my velvet hood          comes off as its green breath clouds my vision. In the blink of an eye, I          put my faith in Athena and she guides the sword to victory, killing the          monster of Aneh-ta and saving our city.

Authors Note:

I was trying something new here… An Epic which is supposed to be a poem that tells a heroic tale. And a Concrete which is a poem that is in a specific shape, so I tried to make this poem in the shape of a labyrinth.

I would also love any feedback that any of you have to offer regarding this piece.

**For those of you redaing this by phone, here is a screen shot of my poem to be a labyrinth shape: