Red by Morning
Light is breaking through the cracks,
the crawling king snake snaps his back,
his hollow heart was painted black
upon the dust, the dirt, the track -
I choose the dagger in the back
while you play white and I play black
and Judas gives his warning.
The devil and the holy harp -
his strings, when struck,
carve blunt teeth sharp,
I’d linger on a black remark,
I’d start a fire from a spark,
knowing I’m no Joan of Arc;
I’m Judas in the morning.
Towers crumble to the ground,
the grinning child, his laughter drowned,
the texture of a single sound,
which Wednesday roars - he throws his crown,
he blows his horn, his foaming hounds
answer to his calling.
I don’t bleed
there is no need
the traitor’s turrets
fall for the freed
stain the white walls
red by the morning.