THE POEM FROM GABRIEL KNIGHT

I dreamt of blood upon the shore,
Of eyes that spoke of sin.
The lake was smooth & deep & black,
As was her scented skin.
A mask I wore as I approached,
I was what I am not.
& though the pattern was unclear,
It's meaning could be bought.
Drawn to Bacchus's abode,
I sought there to conspire.
But it was in the city of the dead,
That I found my heart's desire.
I spoke to one who smelled of death,
He gave me to his ears.
& crosses that were marked, were made,
Into a veil of tears.
The road was blocked, the truth was shunned,
The white flag had been waved.
Reversal cost me all I had,
& everything I'd braved.
& then the night became as day,
I glimpsed nature's reddist claw.
The face of fear looked back at me,
As I gazed into the maw.
My last ally laid to waste,
I ran towards the light.
I prayed for one to change my path,
To give me strength to fight.
Inside a hidden chamber where,
I had no right to be.
I found the wheel at last,
Or could it be the wheel found me?
& then the wheel went round & round,
I could not find my way.
Twelve & three & turn the key,
I heard the madman say.
Deep in the earth I faced a fight,
That I could never win.
The blameless & the base destroyed,
& all that might have been