~ Martyr’s Wedding ~

             The Queen: “I do.”
             The Priest: “And what about you, sir? Do you still refuse to recant?!”
             The King: “I do.”


     Part 1: Mintaka

Dim starlight pierces pinholes in the masonry decaying
Mangled moths in webs of fat black widows, diamond webs deceiving
Red-eyed rats in rabid squabbles for the borders of their kingdom
Daring never venture near the tortured body in the sordid corner
Cold and so alone
Sheets dripping red on a bed made of stone
Painted in streams by the blood of the queen
Shed for the scapegoated sins of the king

But something in the confines of the night invades her growing fear
Glowing through the frozen mist enclosing her in hope unclear
Something far and something near…

Message from a future scroll, the echo of a human soul
Who passes through the prison wall and reaches out his hand
The promise of an ancient verse, an author she can now recall
And whispering his dying words, she turns and says to him,

“Take my hand...and step inside the shadows of our dream
To paradise unseen, an endless garden waits for you and me
Just beyond the shadows of our dream, a world away
A trail of tears will guide our way”


     Part 2: Alnitak

Bright moonlight fades to tragic sunshine, endless night enticing
Thirsty vampire bats in human form her prison home intruding
Dirty magic's cruel games of brutal lust in love's illusion
Last diversion from the horror story burning through a blinding vision
Caught behind her stare
Dancers of death on a stage made of air
Leprous blots on the soul of the holy king
Washed in the blood of the queen

Then something slowly redefines the presence of his spirit near
Falling through her memories, encasing him in every tear
Mother to her child dear…

Now they cross the blackest mile, walking side by side in silence
Torches line the rancid aisle, leading to the altar’s edge
Iron doors swing open wide as dark emotions touch the light
And facing lions eye to eye, she whispers once again,

“Take my hand...and step inside the shadows of our fear
The pain is drawing near, and crowds will cheer but not for you and me
Just for me and you the angels sing, then fly away
A trail of blood will guide their way”


     Part 3: Alnilam

An ancient seer once foretold a sacrifice, but offered twice
A queen to share her king’s despair, to meet him there, for this prepared
Of starving lions feasting on the flesh of their creator’s bride
“The gods are glad,” the priest declared, “the tyrant and the witch are dead!”
And all the people joined the chorus, “Give us more, this blood so red!”

             And on this hellish Roman stage, reflections from above
             United, bathed and sanctified forever in each other's blood
             Hand in hand they step inside the shadows of the grave
             Together unafraid…and once again they hear the angels sing
             Just beyond the shadows of their dream, a world away
             Tonight they’ll pass through Eden’s gate, their wedding arbor love atoned
             Its double-arches melted into one, and set in jasper stone
             A spark of faith all debts to pay, one heart the flaming sword to break


     Part 4: Sode Boshi Seiun

The great White Tiger of the west
In twelve dimensions, seven realms
In Three Stars Mansion waiting, all alone
The marriage of the king has come
His bride, his temple, cleaned of blood
Her wickedness delivered to the ocean depths unknown
Her inner light unshaded now
To heaven’s royalty restored
Her whoredom turned to mourning, in a cloud of angels coming home
So dark the faun of endless lies
By vengeance he has died like man
With mountains cast into the plains to rot on his unwanted worthless throne…

             And in the king’s chamber, the sleeping painter now awakes
             The elements await him on a palette with a brush of gold
             Enfolding time, returning to the new creation made of God
             The universe a canvas for the newborn queen, his long lost love