Odysseus Listened

By Josh Hornbeck

The red wyrm burrows into my shoulder
Making its way to my heart
Scaly tendrils slide past arteries and veins
Its fiery breath cuts to the core

Sirens sing sweetly in my ear
Enticing me to their isle
They greet me naked, open, inviting
The dragon’s deadly flame within burns brighter

Spent upon the sirens’ beach
I reach for their intangible embrace
Harpies pick flesh from bones instead
The fire is unbearable within

Shipwrecked, bloody, naked, alone
Tormented day and night
The succubi feed upon a wasted soul
My heart turns to cold ash within me

But Lo! Another’s fire springs to life within
Bringing warmth and comfort instead of death and pain
The red wyrm is consumed and dies shrieking
I am consumed – ashes to ashes, dust to dust

What phoenix is this rising from the dead
A new man, full of strength and dignity
The sirens song – dead clamor in my ears
Flying on holy flames to salvation

(Posted on 10/01/2009)