Halls of the Dark Muse

The Fall of La Belle Dame Sans Merci

You have me lashed down
upon your altar of sacrifice
naked flesh torn and twisted
laid down beneath the chains
you bind me to.

My wings severed
there is no room left for escape
as I stare into the hopeless
sky above and cry my tears
in pools of moonlight.

You've ensnared me
in your midnight eyes
caught my reflection before the
sacred water and stole
my breath away in the final hour.

Now I am bound down tight
against cold hard stone
and your touch is like
fire and ice in one.

Countless the souls
I stole away with me
to collect upon my distant shelves
and the hearts I have skewed in two
to dance beneath the moon.

But broken I am reduced
to shivering beneath your
shadow where it looms.

Wrapped up tight and shackled
down with naught to do
but wait for the knife
winking as it catches in
the silver light.

Fear and anger burn through
my flesh, but I feel my chest
melt at a glimpse of one last
gleam of your watching eye.

I was weak and let my heart
be leashed and now my love
you spare no mercy for
my mercenary soul

As my blood must spill
to sanctify the stone
how worthy the hand
to server my last cord
in this world.