Assassin

‘Forgive me father

for I have sinned.

It has been 

well never

since my last confession.’

I stood within the cavernous opening

rock hewn

trendles of mist reaching out

with flame in hand

knowing I had to enter.

Prone before the crystal altar

his mouth moving

in silent prayer

lay a man dressed in priestly garb

though I knew

a religous man he was not.

Lashed upon the cross on high

a boy

a child

an innocent

being offered up

sacrificed

slaughtered

to appease some broken diety.

My step is light

I silently unsheath my sword

pressing it to my lips

a sign of secrecy

so the boy does not scream.

His last breath hissed free

blood

soaked within the stones beneath him

while I stand over top

a malicious smile on my face.

I am exemplary.

I do my job well.

Assassin down the ages

striking

slaying

the rabid vultures

who prey upon our innocents.

Sept. 19/18

Photo by Lê Tân on Unsplash

Choices

This is a continuation of River Styx, Desert Red, Waste/Safe Land, Harlequin and My Knight.

We travelled

mostly in silence

chirps of birds

chittering of squirrels

sometimes the only sound I heard.

I sensed

felt

knew

that somehow I disappointed

this gentle giant.

I did not know how

nor what I could do

to rectify my mistakes.

We avoided cities

towns

any sign of civilization

until the abuse done to me

physical abuse

had healed.

The scars on my mind

woke me

screaming in the night

from nightmares

where Harlequin still ruled.

He began to train me.

Sword.

Knife.

Skulking.

Shadow hopping.

Every conceiveable way

I could now

protect myself from harm.

I woke one morning

to find him gone

disappeared

into the mists of my past.

I walked alone

ruing my mentor‘s departure

for I still did not know……

where I was?

who I was?

what journey

what choices must I make?

Sept. 18/18

Photo by Anders Nord on Unsplash