Below Jupiter's Sky
an inverse poem
tonight, I’ll choose my own life - I'll choose pride
our two kismets 🏹contend🏹 in this isle of stardust, and
- -here, below Jupiter’s sky- -
I could never imagine, I could never pretend that
- -as you’re wild, fierce, juniper-eyed- -
I shall remain but a sparrow to you - harmless in this calmness
and
you, with your white-tail deer carcass, are my friend - my ally tonight
watching you drink in her marrow, I elect, I decide
you have something I want; that I need (although)
- -painted-face, masquerade, striped in the darkness- -
I know
(as I balance your life between arrow and bow)
there’s a reason our two paths oppose and collide
here, below Jupiter’s sky, in this isle of stardust and Eden, oh
these demons - the question: to eat, or to be eaten?
I can’t quite believe in
this love that runs through me
no, it’s got to be more, it’s
this feud, this frenzy: this deep-rooted envy
will my stomach be fueled or will it stay empty?
oh,
in this world - in its quirk and bizarreness, aplenty
I could make your kin enemy by flinching my wrist; draw blood
- -as you’re wild, fierce, a mother to three tiny cubs- -
I could never expect that
- -here, below Jupiter’s sky up above- -
our two kismets ✨connect✨ in this isle of stardust, and
tonight, I’ll choose us: I'll choose love
*
(Now read it from the bottom to the top)
-Gina C. 🧚♀️✨
*
Author's Note: If you've been following me for a long time, the concept of this poem might seem a bit familiar to you. Back in May of 2023, I wrote a microfiction piece, Among the Sighs of the Trees, that told the brief story of a huntress - seemingly alone in a quiet, lush forest - who prepares to slay a deer and instead ends up meeting face-to-face with a tigress.
The process of writing that story in so few words was so powerful and spiritual for me that I've dreamt since then of breathing life back into the plot. This inverse was a fun way to explore with an alternative ending, while at the same time ultimately circling back to the tender conclusion that I originally envisaged. You can visit the original story here:
***
Thank you so much for all your support! 🥹 I'm around a little less these days, but I'm still here and am still trying to read all your wonderful work when I'm able to. 🥹
About the Creator
Gina C.
Poet | Author | Architect of Worlds
Sowing stories rooted in culture, origin, metamorphosis, resilience, language & love via fantasy, myth, magical realism & botanical prose
Writing my novel!🧚🏻♀️🐉✨
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal7 days ago in Resources
Comments (23)
"- -as you’re wild, fierce, a mother to three tiny cubs- -" - This line reminds me of Your test tube poem and makes me think of a form of potential jealousy between the mother that's trying and the one trying to be a mother. This poem of Yours commands an immediate respect not just because of the inherent power that the tiger has, but as an symbolic envoy of the harsh beauty of nature. Yet, still made out of the same stardust, You have that same powerful beauty dwelling deep in You.
Love the tension of the choice here Gina🤗 Re-read it after your author’s note, and little pieces shone through. Really liked “ I shall remain but a sparrow to you”, and how the internal monologue shifts on the reverse.
This is so cool! As I was reading I thought it seemed slightly familiar…and then you explained your concept at the end! ☺️👏 Excellent inverse Gina and congrats on your placement in the challenge which is very well deserved! (I’m well behind in everything..so obviously a bit late to the party). 😊
Amazing work Gina Congratulations on the win
I loved your poem and loved it even more after I’d read your stunning micro fiction piece. Wonderful attention to word choice, half rhymes , and a new word (for me), kismets 😊
OH MY GOODNESS!! GINA!!! I love this poem SO much!! The language, the use of bolds, italics, and sections - the two different perspectives from the inverse...wow, just wow. The hunter/prey dynamic juxtaposed to romantic or lustful feelings is an idea as old as time but done in this way is just SO DARN GOOD. I am so happy this placed. So deserved!! Congrats on an amazing piece, Gina!!
Ahhhh congrats!!!!!!!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Yayyyyy I'm soooo happy for you my sweet Red Partner! Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
YAY! Congratulations on placing, my friend!!
Beautifully striking work!! I love your incorporating emojis into the piece too :) Congratulations!
Superb storytelling in an inverse! No easy feat! Congrats!
Congrats, my friend.
Congrats on placing again! This was awesome!
Awesome reverse poem!!! Loved it!!!💕♥️♥️
Beautiful, evocative. and transformational!
This was gorgeous!! And I love that you explored this moment again. It was so powerful in short story form and even more so in this poem. And you caught the moment of the shift from one direction to the opposite. This was incredibly done, sweet friend :)
Such a great poem and such a great storyteller.
Was captivated by each elegant word, great poem!
I kept thinking this felt familiar but nothing else came to my mind! I'm SO grateful to your Author's Notes because reading that made my memories come rushing back! This was just so brilliant of you to do! Your poem was soooo magical when read both forwards and in reverse!
Just beautiful, Gina...👏👏👏 Now, I want to go to Jupiter, lol. I do!
Magnificence & kinship. Do you recognize your kinship in her magnificence or simply within the instincts both survival & maternal?
I love how the story unfolds using such mystical imagery. Great work!
Nice