Sin

A day dawned long ago, cold and dreary.
Men bustled silently along, leering
At one another, praying perhaps that
Just one should find himself under the train,
Because that would make for a right good laugh.
Huddled together against this cruel scene,
Round a fire, stood our heroes and heroines,
Who laughed and played and thought great thoughts, wanting
To escape from their life at the shunting.
Two of these, Spark and Scorch, are our objects.

Spark lived a protected life, sheltered from
The great evils of the world, cocooned in
His family's and friends' adoration.
He was calm and kind and brave and cool,
But Spark had never met Squall, that fool
Of a demon, that sinful heartless ghoul.

Scorch began her life as Spark had done, prized
And adored, but Squall found her, disguised
As a man, but betraying himself fast.
Scorch was changed, turned demonic and outcast.
The voices of the past -- Squall's -- in her ear,
She struggled to live just and sincere.

It may never be fully understood
How Spark and Scorch fell in love for good,
Or so it did seem. Suffice it to say
That together they could face the next day,
But old Squall riled Scorch into disarray.

Spark, noble but blinded, fought the ghoul back,
But minions of Hell never cease their attacks,
And slowly Squall convinced misguided Scorch
That Spark was nervous and desperate, forged
A wicked bond with her. Inflexibly, she
Fell out of love with Spark, defeating he.

Squall deceived poor Scorch toward his pawn, Sly,
Another of our young heroes he tied.
Spark, demolished, left alone with his thoughts,
Cried for the lost love he had vainly sought,
But resolved to battle Squall once more --
Perhaps fruitlessly and nugatory...

A new day dawns, hateful and trivial,
One of countless many in Spark's trial.
Scorch and Sly mock him in their forfended
Affection, deluded as one, pretended
And pushed by dark old Squall, whose laughter
Rings here, even from his jail. Hereafter,
In this cold and uncaring world, the men
Still hoping to see one of their brethren
Die, the youth still a bulwark against sin,
Will valiant Spark or trickster Squall win?