They wore chains,
Around their necks.
Warrior’s jewelry was their claim.
A chunk of Iron marked them as special
The sole creature
Who could touch the metal.
Twisted DNA wrapped up in a necklace
Shimmered from each chest,
A piece of glory in a dust-ridden story.
Strange gifts from the Iron,
Controlled by their strong bonds,
They could make a man rich.
Her -
steps throbbed with her people,
Never would betray them.
He -
knew not of this living heart,
Or the power contained in a fuse.
They were lovers until he asked -
“Why do you force iron around your throat?”
It ties me to my people, a clasp.
He watched her go,
He, a monster with eyes green,
Eyes on a precious power to steal.
Late in the night,
Her people were crying, fighting,
They were all dying.
He stole her -
her family -
her brother -
For the chain held strong,
He took their bodies instead,
Toil in red hot chalk sung like a song.
He made them dig in the dirt,
Mine the Iron made only for them,
Amassing it all from thirst.
He raped her.
She died.
He won a prize - the metal she mined
Why didn’t they hide?
Could they not run?
No, a power kept them inside.
The necklace,
Their pride,
Conquest.
It held them to their captor
Made them bow,
And mine the IRON ORE.