They said my reward
was a set of golden gates.
Walk in the light
The Ultimate Test
fantastical stories
an all-encompassing love,
a heavy price.

They said, "sacrifice now
for the promise of ever after
the righteous path 
is the only way,"
but I heard my name 
whispered in the shadows
saw the darkness staring back
through my reflection.
An irresistible pull
a sweet offering
the addictingly bitter taste
knowledge
experience
life.

They said my reward
was the empyrean domain
but they couldn't see
it was already mine.

Published prior on Letterpile.com