A mirthsome gold; these lives you hold, you’ll hide away

The lidless casket, the guilded lining

Shines in the old light, gleams in the muted bay

These lines have been etched in bone, carved and faded, stretched as taut as stone. Draped across the moonlit base, a mirrorbed reflects the faces bright in the moment

Wide and awake with fright

Seared by the scorchlight, lives are worth we’ll trade

We couldn’t cower too quickly. We couldn’t bear to brave the gaze of the end

And when the creep of flames engulf the all, you’ll swallow them whole

You’ll intake this bile, and you’ll reap what I’ve soiled, what you’ve sown

So have the stilted grown

Bury me in all the filth and shame, and all the moments filled with them

It’s all the same. I’ll give it away

I’ll taint my flesh and you’ve naught but hell to taste

Tear it away. The rot is palpable. The waft escapes

The bread we broke sustaining you. The blood, you choked, the draining flu

No sign that anyone knew. Gods you hunger, so tear us wide and eat your fill

You look so tired. I couldn’t save for you some raw meat

Your limbs are wires, but all I have for you is thawed

You’ll get your means. You’ve earned these seeds

Now when you salivate you’ll bleed

Drawn to the stench of plebes who dulled their sheen to match a hope we couldn’t feel

This is all we are: a listless gold, the lifeless old, frail in the moment

Scared as the eyes reveal their sheen. Be careful what you hold

The flesh has turned, your wretch was earned

Bright in the moment, wide and awake with fright

Seared by the scorchlight, our lives are worth we trade