The Valley of Ashes

Prosperity depends
On those willing to sacrifice their bones
For the rungs of its ladder:

Ash smothers sunlight
The phoenix impotent, unable to resurrect
Choking, sputtering
Victim of silk-stocking poachers

Pervasive ash defiles pink lungs
A decaying fungus
Violating bodies, corrupting spirits
Before dousing out sanguine sparks

It is here that the river Styx,
With froth of dust and surf of soot,
Sunders the world of the living
From hegemonized proletariats

During their sprint to heaven
Polished leather flings dust
Descending to the depths of purgatory
Snowing over the vanquished

Amidst cinders and holy relics
The eyes of God bare witness
Besmeared with soot unmoved by tears
Rendering their capability to mere witness