Gathering

To pour out their share of worldly spoils

From each treacherous road

Spilling over the horizon

–

They fill the chest in the night

Until they’ve bled the day’s venom

Falling bare and at peace  

In the silver rays of dawn  

–

 They gather

As I’m crushed

In the iron vise I’ve scrawled

From old and vengeful years

Drawing air from my lungs  

–

What do I  have to offer

In this coiling darkness?  

Only ghostly hymns

Born in madness long ago