poem: No Altar

No Altar

What I’d give to stop the ache

To end the twisting, knotting pain

I would sacrifice to have that pit tamed

But it asks for nothing

No deity calls for offerings

No voice of thunder commands,

No blood-thirsty serpents

What can slip the ground back

Beneath my calloused feet?

What force can loosen

Knots as tight as these?

Still, though not commanded

I fall to a kneel…

When shall this longing break me?

Nothing  cracks the ice though

Nothing offers reprieve

Nothing rewards, nothing scolds.

My writhing torment...

Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!

And the pit, it grows and grows…

(c)2010 Luz Briar.

poem: Ode to Aurora

Brothers Grimm Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose)

Ode to Aurora

I envy you your sleep

In recumbent bliss, lain deep

Awaiting the day

When you will be saved

You triumph inactive.

I envy you your sleep

To what task should I seek

To gain the power, to float through the hours

Prick a finger? Taste a fruit?

I envy you your sleep

Absence is the key

Will you teach me this trick,

For my tavern icy thick

So I may sleep in sleet, and still be

Warm within. May I wake in warmth?

(c)2009 Luz Briar.

DEMONIAC Concept Art

This is a concept cover art done around last year at this time. It is supposed to feature Milla floating in the river of Styx. Unseen in this caption is Cerebus as he devours souls, based off of a Blake painting. Much of Demoniac is inspired by William Blake’s “Songs of Innocence & Songs of Experience” so this was fitting. Not sure how he got cut out of the picture.

More concept art for part I of the story “Innocence.” Milla in a German Impressionistic madhouse where the pages of her diary are sucked into the blackhole-like door at the lefthand corner. The wallpaper looks like prison bars on a curtain. This is little Milla, shortly before she turns 13 methinks.

A doodle of Lady Arteberry. Again with the big heads and the little bodies.  Lady is exceedingly fun to draw.

Finally, a sketch of Buck…licking a sharp object. He and Fonso’s character design are nearly identical, especially uncolored. Another example of big head, little body. Not sure why i draw that way. I can do realistic but stylized is so much more fun!
For a picture of Bri and Orion (who appear in Book 2), click here.
All are pencil sketches because I’m not high tech. Just thought I’d like to share some of the better sketches.
Demoniac: a Memoir and all characters are ©2008-2011 Luz Briar.

poem: MONSTERS

It’s a fickle attack on me
By things that do not exist
And like last time it will tackle me
And beat me with airy fists.
Until the sun rises and I purge
Myself of the fear.
Until I am one with the cruel surge
That lives off our bitter tears.
 
But the sun is taking its time
Banishing the night
And the shadows dance across my walls,
Little balls of light
Whisper of the crumbling
In my ears, rasping inundation.
Whispers and mumblings
Chip at my foundation.
 
Shadows tiptoed into my soul like vermin
Half-truths, unruly
Coil around my heart, squirming
Through tunnels, run through me.
Until the sun rises and I see through
The delusions of the night
Until I hear something strong and true
Not these spider strings; these lies.
 
But the sun, this time, is slow
To rinse away the lies
To dry up the doubts that soak
Me to the bones with fright.
Promises of a doomed me
Of every comfort thing
Promises that loom to be
The end to comfort.
 
I know the dark night of the soul
Comes to its end each time
But these monsters! God! They have a hold
This night is long.
Its grip is strong.
Will I ever see the light?

© 2011 Luz Briar.