jasper

jade mountain jasper

hidden among the gravel road.

i pick it up with my blood caked fingers,

and smear its moss green surface in red.

i remember when my siblings

would trudge along our backyard forest

and hunt for little rock treasures in the mud.

now all we do is hunt each other.

the fierce cries grow louder,

echoing across my mind like a yell in a deep cavern.

what once were innocent children,

are now merciless, bloodthirsty men.

what once were humans,

are now wild, untamed beasts.

yes, even jasper

exotic, green-eyed jasper

can become tainted and criminal.