by Adrienne

I came to this bleak land
for reasons unbeknownst
to rigid rank and file.
True, my love of blood was
my final undoing,
but did anyone care
to ask how I became
the death-bringer that I
am reputed to be?
Hannelore, my heart,
I swore I would save you
from false accusation
though you were unfaithful
to me time and again.
I can't forgive myself
for not being present
on the night when you were
not where everyone
thought you were tempting
fate to some unseen end.
I only saw the axe
slice deeply- I was too late.
In my grief, I avenge
you time and time again
so that my own soul, too,
may ever be damned.
Let the rest be guessed
by those ignorants who
never cared to ask.