through the smoke. the veil.
through the gilded mirror
brown cotton kept me warm
taunt and tease,
the spike pricked
her smile in my cranberry wine
the beast from the purple fire
i fear she stalks me
she walks towards me
stands behind me.
i looked, reflection,
into her eyes. the eyes.
but black satin scarves
flutter from the balcony above
around the marble neck
and she led, too weak,
eyes misted, i follow
and i'll retreat
a touch, a caress,
and i withdraw
and the green sheen
i see around her
wraps around me, too
my fingertip. mine
and the green blood dripped
and shake my head no more
a sip, and i host,
the beast i hold.