Testing The Fates And Denouncing Sin Poem by Christine K. Trease

A colorless canvass, she climbs onto the ledge
toppling towards her destiny
A testimony to the thousand converted gentlewomen
who fell before her she pauses at the precipice
consorting with the fates

A blush brushes across her face as a moment of consciousness
takes hold and she recoils from commitment
She lunges for the safety of solid footing,
clinging to reality and sucking in new breath

Denouncing envy, smiting sloth, abandoning gluttony,
ignoring wrath, pushing pride aside, laughing at lust
and grappling greed knowing these things could not improve
her life in any measured degree.

Alone she stands at the razors edge,
wielding sword sheared to the ground covered in destinies' desire
fingers trembling and face aglow she laughs heartily with relief
that she has controlled her destiny, thwarted the future
and crushed the seven deadly sins.