Dusty air breathed steamy waves
over her empire
and smoky vapors spiked the charred valley,
once twisting and writhing with greed
from undeserved need that devoured the populous.

Green eyes glowed sharply under the golden
encrusted crown of supremacy
and authority, once renowned,
now a blatant and disturbing dishonor.

A ruling hand waved unlimited death
as a smile formed on soft ruby lips;
one of pleasure and unnamed desire.

Now awaken the serpent
of glowing orange judgment,
the bringer of poison,
so seductive, so quick.

Aching with devastation
the sharpened scales and instinct overwhelm
the frightened green gaze of the beauty.

Thick tears of shame coursed over the sand and
raven hair crumpled and burned,
jerking in the dusty breeze.

Desperate arms reached for the body
of the shamed beauty,
entrusting to life--to save the pained soul
the eternal torment of a whore.

Wide eyes gushing anguish
and ultimate horror witnessed the end
as strong arms cradled the vanquished dynasty.