SCARLET
Scarlet. Precision makes him wince
Brings crystal tears to child-blue eyes.
The symbols blur. This is routine
More comforting than mother's lies.
Scarlet, arcane, is teenage flesh
Scarlet the tumble of his hair
Kohl shadows bruise anemic face.
Funereal, Scarlet's despair.
His frailties bound in steel cruel
The world outside sees Scarlet weak.
A child who cannot be a man.
The crippled boy; the haunted freak.
Confined in body, caged in bone
Scarlet, mocked, watches from afar.
Laps blood from rusted razorblade
Invokes, and wishes on his star.
For Scarlet dreams. Of other worlds,
Midnight, eternal and sublime
Of scarlet blood and scarlet lips
Of life, until the end of time.
Of cities where dead poets sing
And dawn is always far away
And angel boys with devils' smiles
Bow before Scarlet. pale and fey.
A haven. Wrought in scarlet prayer,
This precious land in Scarlet's mind
Where he gives life with soul-deep kiss
Is master, on his throne enshrined.
The vampire court. Scarlet's domain.
Glorious he stands, promise unfurled.
Where ritual sets children free
Scarlet, sweet Scarlet, rules the world.
copyright: angel, march 1998