The Hunter reaches down through fog and flood
and lifts the sopping plank that's floating on
the dirty water's surface at one end
whilst at the other doth the keeper of
the shop the sign belongs to also heave,
together raising th'object up and out—
with streams that grip and fall from off its edge—
and pushing it to stand upon its legs,
encompassing the entry to his shop.
The keeper of the shop doth thank the man 10
upon his hammering the sign in place,
more crack'd and splinter'd than it once so was.
The Hunter nods and trudges down along
the flooded street, his ankles swishing through
and causing tidal ripples slapping 'gainst
foundations of the houses and the shops
at either side of him as carefully
doth he traverse so not to break his toes
on something solid 'neath the clouded swirl.
Within the week that's pass'd since mountain floods 20
did wash all through the polis and destroy
with wrath and punishment the people's lives,
the Hunter's work'd t'rebuild the city's slums,
for though their crimes are less than those above,
he's known for all his life the system's rigg'd
so sin is shed from bottoms of their boots
like mud upon the backs of those below.
He's seen it ev'ry year, the streets awash
with filth not rightfully so channel'd here,
for though there's those deserving here to rot— 30
whom once he thought himself to be among
by tainted pedigree deserving such—
there's just as many—more—requiring cleanse
who up above are free of consequence
and let to drink of flesh and step on hands.
And though they suffer'd through this current flood
the more severe than usu'lly they do,
this only's caus'd compounded pain below,
and ev'ry time he helps a broken man
or mourning woman—those of waning hope— 40
he sees it in their eyes, their malcontent,
and knows at any moment could they burst
with just direction, should there come the need,
and one who speaks the language of their hearts.
Continuing, the Hunter spots ahead
a woman he hath seen before around
YOU ARE READING
As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War
PoetryA troubled Pilgrim sets upon a road in search by sun and storm of paradise; a vain Pariah's banish'd from his home to render justice by the moonlit night: two individuals who share a flesh, each unalike in methods and beliefs, yet fated consequence...