(Using another poet’s closing line for inspiration)
Hegira
“You fling it open for the first time / but I’m gone” ~ M Kahf ~ Wall
After uncertain sacrifice
tremulous, the saint descends
abandoned temple steps, alone;
makes pilgrimage to sparse quarters
contemplates no return
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Poetics
~Beginning At The End ~
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Scrambled, Not Fried 
This is so atmospheric. So much packed into such a small space.
I feel sad when the world will be left without a saint… maybe we need to appreciate the wonders more.
So sad and almost apocalyptic.
Such power in the brevity of your verse, Ron 🙂 I love where the line took you.
stark and powerful, like an apocalypse … a sad ending indeed!
Ace!
“the saint descends
abandoned temple steps, alone;”
These words alone are heartbreaking.
Excellent response to the line — power in few words.
This is full of the mystery of an ancient ritual and leaves me wanting to know more!
That you call the person ‘saint’ makes me think it’s tongue in cheek. What is a saint anyway? Not someone alive and walking down temple steps, contemplating giving it up, anyway. Ironic and full of mischief is how I read this.
Along with what others said, I love that you chose this person to be a “saint,” and agree that the limited word count makes it all the more powerful.
Perfect enjambment for this brief but powerful poem.
Bravo, Ron …. you packed quite a punch in very few words.
Is there any certain sacrifice for love, whatever the objective?