Shadows and Mirrors

By Rena Aliston

Shadows linger all around us, but the one we refuse to acknowledge is the one looking in the mirror. What does your reflection say about you?

Shadows and Mirrors explores the darker aspects of the self. Life, death, love, hate, pain, and healing collide in this dark poetry collection from Rena Aliston.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Owl-Raven Books
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223314622

Rena Aliston

Rena Aliston was born in Washington, Pennsylvania. The daughter of a musician and crafter, she grew up in a creative environment, which sparked her imagination and love of the arts. Previously writing under the name Ofira Sephiroth, Rena is the author of four poetry books – Unspeakable Truths, Volume 1: Damnation Begins; Unspeakable Truths, Volume 2: Baptism By Blood; Versified Darkness and Versified Delusions. She was first published in 2006 when two of her poems (The Eternal, Part 1: The Renderer and The Eternal, Part 2: The Surrender) were published in The Velvet Paradox, the second Dark Poetry Anthology by Jonathan Martin. Rena also writes micro-fiction, flash fiction, and short stories. Residing in Louisville, Kentucky, she is also a small business-owner (Chained Dolls) and independent electronic music artist (Envy’s Bane). When not being creative, she enjoys gardening, archery and spending time with her family. Rena’s new book of poetry, Shadows and Mirrors will be released August 18, 2023.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

SHADOWS

Such A Time

For there is such a time

when hate will swallow

pride and envy rejoice.

Black

Black tastes like sunshine

wrestling with hailstones.

The blistering storm

replenishing and scorching

as if life and death

writhe together.

Defenseless

Within fire’s eyes I foretell time’s riddles,

curses laid upon my throne while love’s

pillar aches for revenge. I await the moon’s

anguish, festering below my wings as I remain

lost in death’s labyrinth where your passion

echoes through my defenseless walls.

Doom

Death

stalking

taunting me

whispering tales

doom

Faceless

Veil

lifted

time exposed

the hourglass, death seeks

victims congregated

maddening screams challenge light

darkness peeks through cracked sky, watching

whispers narrate, haunting memories

faceless names appear welcoming the end.

Feast

Gnawing on bone, the bitter taste -

my death misplaced,

this soulless ache

to grace my wake.

You bid farewell with