To be Published in Poetry Motel

P.O. Box 202
Kailua-Kona HI 96745

I dwell, in complete darkness, eyes dead to the world
with my thirst slaked on dirt, my hunger sated on stone
bearing the burden of Tantalus, so undone
I wear feathers, as the Crow, the Peacock
but no light invades to reveal the colors
My door and lock are clothed in a down of dust
When I entered this house of dust
The crowns of kings were heaped, as a fortress
with every side the king's voices ringing wild cacophony
in serving the wind and king of divinity
Sugars and flesh, water and wine poured from their skins
In this house sits a priest and servant,
a priest of purification and of rapture,
I saw the priests of all great gods
I saw the thirteenth king of Kish, and a snake
coiled around the leg of Hell's queen
who sat listening to her scribe's inventory
Peering upon my shade, she raised her finger to me,
questioning of all the Kings and Jesters
"Who sent this man?"