Chosen, Thrice Chosen
(You were only Ares' Chosen: to conquer, to shed blood)

by Pamela A. Lord
HeronW@AOL.com

Morpheus wanted a bride, said Manus
God of dreams and sleep-the little death or more
Dreams that even the Gods themselves fear
In their restless, dreamless sleep.

They consume my nocturnal reveries
In that fluid madness, twisting my heart
Sweet Gaia, had I not played with your sword
My enthusiasm and ignorance both dulled.

Barely winning twice by words and chance
That I must choose-take the life offered, Innocent!

Or die myself, run through by unmerciful custom
I almost chose the former, when faced with death.

But even in the realm of what should be sweet repose
Of fearful visions and a centered self so deep
She reflects the bleakest shadows of hate
You would not abandon me, my love.

***

Bacchus' touch insinuated into my veins
A shivering joy in the telling of the tale
Women and music, a dance and rhythm
Voices chanting and whispering of need.

Only I heard a subtle intoxication of want
Trembling flesh, pounding flashing fire
Liquid life so tantalizing just beneath
The soft and pliant skin waiting to be taken.

Battling instinct, you threatened me
Then held the ancient ivory spike aside
Do it-you said, regardless of the cost
To live with me, to die with me
Or even be as damned as I would.

More than any mortal warlord could command
Less human than a beast of ravenous hunger
To sup on my warrior's dusky essence
A woman of cobalt fire offering herself
As sacrifice to unrelenting thirst.

Enjoying the exquisite moans while feasting
My prey, your blood, scent of bergamot in your hair
Coppery elixir of blood, warm and sweet and salt
Undulating beneath my lips, my love.

***

Dahok stole my innocence, my trust
My need to love, to heal and protect
From crucifixion of the body to worse
My spirit beaten, stripped and ravaged.

Meridian raised the sword and held back
As my dagger penetrated without resistance
Easing into her warm wet heart like a lover
The first kill on my hands, they are not my hands!

Such a hideous confusion as she smiled, thanking me
For the jagged wound releasing her life
Thankyou for the pain, the blood, the death
The final moment as Dahok took her light.

All I had were tears I shed, my screams mocked
My unwitting sacrifice, in my naivety
The one thing I swore I would never do
The scarlet shed, staining my hands forever.

No, you couldn't have-you said, holding me
Disbelief, yet still the unconditional acceptance
To turn your steel in my defense
Against the man, now a daemon, comes for us.

White fire, with a core to make a Stygian gloom
Appear pale and safe by comparison
Insubstantial element that moves stones and flesh
That consumes but does not burn.

It flowed in distorted waves within me
Suspending me by nothingness
Permeating every corner of my soul
By a thousand unnatural shafts.

A lingering death by torturous chains
Let flames char my body to black ruin
Shatter my bones until there is nothing left
Please, any of these, but not this!

You bore me away from the blaze
Sheltered me from the falling stones
And gave me the comfort of your arms
Your immeasurable heart, my love.