---

To begin Dante's decent

The captive soul begins its quest

We reached the steps

white marble was first

and polished like glass

I saw myself reflected as I was

Then a rough, crumbling, fire stone

With cracks on the surface

Red as the blood in my veins

The demon's sword grazed my brow

The road ahead stays closed

For it is that which unties the knot

Enter, the demon said

Be warned, to look back is to go out again

Falling down into hell