Horror drips
blood of venison
gall explodes in a
stringy religion infected
with mites of bitter fluid

necrology inhabiting
the abandoned church
phantom of the plains
barn owl hiss and scream
pinpoint the source of vile October

end of the lamb's talk
the bell calls sacrifice
cobwebs upon the pulpit
posse pre-1898 pump shotgun
noose rigged from the church bell

amber full of enigmas
riddles fossilized plant resin
embalming fluid an age-old golden crypt
insects trapped in sticky molasseslike sap
fossilized tick on the preacher's habit

Samhain mummification
Old West miners blast
dynamite blows purgatory
hell's gate the Indians call "Tomesha" -
ground afire

in the shaded niche of Mt. Pisgah
The Sundance Wives stir a cauldron
ministry in a backdrop of tipis
dust off the cobwebs upon the pulpit
long live their supply of beaver
flints blankets whiskey and pussy tycoon

Copyright Ms. Sage Sweetwater, firebrand lesbian novelist