He stalked the land.
Times such as these were glorious for him. Borders meant nothing, language was no barrier, he fed where he saw fit, feasting on awkward limbs of souls reduced to a parody of their former spirit.
He rejoiced in the ease of it all, striding along the metal tracks that had been so kindly, so helpfully laid out for him. A ragged column of smoke and cinders rising high towards the clouds, a solid brick archway, wrought iron gates and the legend ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ told him that he had arrived at his dining place once more.
His only regret, if it could be called that, was that his earth-bound compatriots were so very efficient at their own method of destruction. It robbed him of even more gluttony, if truth be told. Still, one had to be satisfied with what one received.
And anyway, time was on his side. He could wait for them to destroy themselves with their own greed.
It had happened before, aeons ago. It would happen again.
Hoist by their own petard.
History repeating itself.
His lips salivated at the thought.
—–
Here’s this week’s entry into Magpie Tales. Yes, it’s morbid, I know. If you’re a long-time reader (thank you!) of mine, you’ll not be surprised. By way of background, I am Jewish, and the train tracks that lead into Auschwitz sprung to mind as soon as I saw the image above, hauntingly irresistible. Industrialised death is, unfortunately, no longer a shock to us, although it should be.
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Freya Writes... 
WOW – the feasting, gruelling & Goose-bumpy, reminding me of the Stones song: ‘Sympathy for the Devil’
Thank you, Shers, and thank you for reading.
Fabulous take Freya, I could so sense his malevolent self.
Thank you. Yes, malevolence was what I was aiming for.
This is great. I don’t mind the morbid. It fits perfectly. Also, when I first started reading this, it reminded me of The Dark Tower, by Stephen King, that kind of lone searcher, bent on death. Good write.
Thank you so much! I’ve not read Th Dark Tower – now I want to! 🙂
The metal tracks of industralization have made inroads for destruction and man is walking down that path. Morbid it is but it’s also the stark reality.
I agree. Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts – I do appreciate it.
Powerfully written, and highly effective. (Aber es ist “macht,” nicht “match”)
Thank you – and thank you for picking up on the typo – I just didn’t see that at all!
sometimes a bit morbid is a good way to get a powerful point across…and I think that you managed that quite nicely!
Thank you, Bryan 🙂
Hi Freya, I think you nailed it so very vividly. Excellent piece of writing with that timely reminder that history does repeat itself.
Thank you.
‘feasting on awkward limbs of soul’ – I think of heavily laden medieval tables and drunken bodies pigging out on large platters of meat…Yes…They too had a habit of destroying themselves with greed…
I think it’s an underlying thread of our species, to be honest. If we make life too safe, we want more risk. We are built to live on the edge, I think.
All hail Saint Leibowitz !
Aha! Had to look that one up!
This def has a dark feel to it and takes one to the edge of reality..history often repeats and I am sure Mr. Darkness will laugh with delight…
I expect he will. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.
Wow beautifully written
Time is definelty on his side… but do we have the time to clean up what is already done…
Oh, my goodness, this is brilliant! The imagery and details are amazing. I like the edginess to it.
Thank you so much, Lorri. Edge is one of the things I wanted to achieve.
Ah yes, the bitter fate of lessons not learned, well written.
Yes it is dark, but certainly compelling
Thank you.