sheered
like a lamb
for slaughter
bathed in rose water
like a virgin
for sacrifice

the sconce
drips liquid flame
onto the dusty stone
of the pathway
incandescent sapphires
in sapphic delight

into the bowels
of the dungeon
dragged deeper
to be spit
like meatgolems
on the spear of destiny

a lone dog howls
from one of the many
twisting corridors
a warning
a threat
an ancient signal

heads bowed
to allow the testimonial
of unholy pleasure
to ravish
the cleansed vessel
of light snuffed