Pariah wakes at th'edge of downy bed—
his body held suspended over fall
by th'arms of Spouse entangling round his back—
and naked of the blanket which she keeps,
and though this strikes an irritated chord
inside his mind, he can not fault her for
these actions taken in unconscious state.
In fact—to his surprise—he seems somewhat
t'adore her ever slightly for this quirk
which he was unaware of up to now, 10
and also doth he find himself t'admire
the way in which her strands of silken hair
obscure her face in half with fallen veil,
reflecting th'argent light of Luna's gaze
and forming halos overhead, which he
now sees adorably contrast the soft
and whisp'ring breaths that pass her parted lips
and brush his neck with warmth to stave the cold
away. He shakes his head and holds his tears
as guilt now washes over top of him 20
at thoughts that he could undergo again
such feelings for another woman's soul,
as doing so doth prove the callousness
and level of betrayal he hath sunk
toward in th'year since first he surfac'd up
above subconscious storey of the brain
to do for th'ailing Preacher what he lack'd;
th'ability to manifest without
the judge and executioner that he,
Pariah, symboliz'd within the man— 30
who til this day still dothn't understand
that he and he are pieces of a whole—
and labels him a sep'rate entity
to spare himself the burden of the judge,
who our Pariah understands is quite
exempt of sin associated with
the act of murder, for to execute
with justice on one's side, and guidance by
celestial Luna, is a humble work
in service of humanity and Earth. 40
Pariah squirms his way to freedom from
the Spouse's arms and notes reluctantly
sensations like the tearing of his heart
from cradle of another's gentle love,
which he remembers still, to his chagrin,
and now doth ache so raw again in back
of mind despite the year and more suppress'd
by Pilgrim's search for paradise and his
unending lust to spill man's evil blood
til th'whole of Earth can be a paradise 50
for all—and him, who'll once again be one
as once the sun and moon were said to be
before man's evil split the Sky in two
and started conflict twixt the night and day,
the Cosmic Father torn asunder by
the horror of His children's evil deeds
upon their brothers' and their sisters' souls,
whom He can only watch destroy the form
of Earthly Mother whom He still must love,
despite the centuries since She succumb'd 60
to madness by Her children's hands, as He;
to sickness and to evil which corrupts
Her lands and morphs Her climates cruel now.
Pariah closes eye and hangs his head.
Despite the centuries since She succumb'd—
despite the year or more since she was burn'd—
He still adores their Mother as She is—
he still adores the Maiden as she was.
He shakes himself from reverie and makes
to go on down the stairs and slip away 70
into the night where once again he'll think,
reflecting on his thoughts and searching for
solution to corruption on his mind.
But at the bottom of the stairs awaits
in rocking chair the Owner at her hearth,
who turns from tending flame with poker's point
and gestures to Pariah: "Take a seat
and join an elder woman by the warmth.
It seems you're having trouble finding sleep;
perhaps you'd like a nightcap to relieve 80
the tension keeping up your racing mind?
For I would urge ye not to roam the streets
at night within this neighbourhood, for though
I earlier did state my feeling safe,
I also have some common sense to keep
my purse containing coin and heart its blood."
Pariah shakes his head and says to her:
"I know a thing or two of handling thieves
and those with more malicious of intent;
appreciations for concern express'd 90
and invitation to your fire's light
but I must breathe some air of fresher stock
if I'm to clear mine head and find my sleep,
which alcohol could not facilitate."
The Owner cackles softly at his words
and gestures once again toward the chair;
with more a serious of tones she says:
"I knew you weren't a fellow for a drink
unlike your counterpart from earlier,
and also that you're not in search of sleep, 100
for I could read, this eve, within your eye
the rift of personality within
your body—single form and dual minds—
and now I see th'intent with which you gaze,
projected from your eye for me to read;
you've suffer'd loss and now it's vengeance you
are seeking during night—nay, I rescind
that statement, for the signals are complex
for even one as I who's old enough
to be experienc'd in reading them; 110
it would appear revenge was once a drive
and now again a hatred plagues your heart,
but you were once—and once again desire—
to be impartial in your judgments cast."
She laughs again at outcast's narrow'd eye,
continuing: "I see suspicion now,
though this because it's obvious to all
and not to just the skill that I possess.
But hold your knife for I've solution to
the problem of your tainted moral code; 120
within th'headquarters of mine order lies
a mountain spring preserv'd from nature's wrath
with cleansing waters wherein I will let
ye bathe to cure yourself if first you make
a promise that you'll help mine order save
this fest'ring city from the merchant guild
and politicians dragging us to filth."
Pariah, having taken seat, replies:
"How is this spring a cleanser as you state?
Is th'water clear and running cold as ice? 130
You're sure its source is uncorrupted still,
despite the interference of your work
preserving it within the walls of town
where human waste is likely most to pool,
contaminating th'earth and waters foul?"
She raises palm to quiet rising voice,
replying calmly and with grace with this:
"The water's clean and runs from purest source;
it's brisk and wakes the senses when you plunge
into its depths and clarifies your sight. 140
Mine order's used this spring for decades now,
and this is how we know that we must free
this dying city of its tyrants' hands,
as I am sure you're equally aware."
Pariah nods and contemplates the deal
for but a moment ere he doth reply:
"I will accept this offer as I see
no downside to the narrative you weave.
Please take me to this healing spring so I
may shed uncertainty to do the will 150
of Luna up above, not holding back."
"Ah, soon, my fellow," Owner says to him.
"At day I'll take your other halves to tour
toward convent where I'll make it sure
your counterpart who hath control by day
will bathe within the waters of the pool."
Pariah furrows brow and says at this:
"The plan is fine, but don't you call the Spouse
a half of mine, for she doth matter not
to me. My neighbour is mine other half, 160
the only one I have for we're the same
and there is not another forming us."
Salaciously the Owner smirks, but keeps
inside herself the words she wants to say
neglecting self the satisfaction brought
by words. Pariah stands, returning to
the room he shares with Spouse, and at the sight
of her he grits his teeth at metaphors
of someone else's love completing him;
refusing to allow himself to fall 170
again into the spell to which he woke
upon the sight of her asleep, he lies
upon the floor and shivers self to bed. 173