
All the leaves are soaked in the ruby evening sun
Setting over the heads of city’s sin-eating scum,
But they do not notice, no, with their horse blinders,
With their grubby Bibles, one cent for seven binders.
The dusk flourishes in all its glory, it nourishes me.
The smooth silk of the night covers us in polishes and glee,
And we’ve been starving for a silent moment like this,
Trembling as the mahogany monsters tie up our wrists.
The buildings surrounding us stare too stoically –
Scarlet lights make this scene taste of crude loyalty.
We’re taken down the street, blinded and submissive.
Not a sound in the salty air, it’s not the noise we’re missing.
The wicked walk comes to a full stop, the wires loosen,
We see the city glisten miles away, we listen to the music.
Perfect circles forming around the maroon shine of the fires.
I’m ready to revolve around the flame, my heart’s a liar.
As the bodies grow warmer, the monsters grow greedier,
The creatures sneaking closer to our necks seem seedier.
But if we just keep up with the song, we might be alright –
“These dark rituals can only be carried out during the night.”
Not all persevere, I see some faint, I watch them stumble.
Just before they’re never seen again their minds crumble,
They collapse inwards as another bulb in the city goes out.
My feet rest on the hot coals, heat fills my veins like grout.
And all the leaves get soaked in the ruby morning sun
Setting on fire the heads of our city’s sin-eating scum,
But they do not notice, no, with their horse blinders,
With their grubby paws they point and shriek:
“You know where to find us.”
-JW