betwixt the start of his adventure and
the point at which the Owner led him to
th'headquarters of the order that she work'd
as part of, to detail Pilgrim's path 50
to paradise; though note she only writes
the days he can recall, for still the nights
are as of yet unknown to Pilgrim's mind,
and also hath he travell'd for a year
by now, and so the earliest he can
recall to form cohesive narrative's
the day whereon the Barman toss'd him out).
And what he can't recall he's aided in
with help from Spouse who knows some parts he can't
remember, for amnesia—so they think— 60
is blocking recollection of th'events.
The Headman's fascinated by th'account
and asks the two of them a great amount
whilst, coming from the kitchen, doth his wife
deliver pots of stew unto the scene—
a rich and steamy, piping hot delight—
which first the hosts allow their guests to scoop
before they fill their bowls and thank the Earth.
Our Pilgrim and the Spouse devour dish
delicious with the meat of aging goats 70
they're told the village raises for their milk
until there comes a time they can't produce
and subsequently are escorted to
the slaughterhouse for one more use of them.
Once all the meal is consum'd the Head
commands his wife and children leave the room
in order to—as earlier he vow'd—
discuss the nature of the cannibals,
but first he asks of Pilgrim: "Will you tell
your woman to depart as I have told 80
my fam'ly? For this talk's not for the faint
of heart, as women often seem to be."
A single brow from Spouse doth arch at this
whilst Head's attention's on protagonist
who says to him: "I should believe you'd have
by now th'impression that this woman holds
a tougher heart and stomach than have I,
unless you fell asleep whilst both we spoke?"
With loud, good-natur'd laughter at the jibe
the Headman nods, agreeing with our man. 90
His wife reenters bearing now a jug
from which she pours into their goblets three
a wine so rich of scarlet that it tempts
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...
3- ☼☼☼ -II
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