sacrifice

within the dream i float above hot stone
sweat rolling down my aching back, and drops
glistening, fall, and sizzling, return
to bathe my salty face with tongue-hot breath
i quiver in the throbbing dark alone
but for one thought revolving to a stop
i sink i fall, like kindling feet arms burn
as ashes fly i upwards after death
growling gods o'erlook the fated scene
cry sweet, not bitter, tears upon my bones
cool runnels, like a plum's sweet flesh, renew
hell's firebrand becomes a placid stone
the land around returns to gold and green
up up my ashes fly into the blue

6/15/98