the pious lay silent, breathlessly chanting
twisting into semaphore of darkness
oh wise old dragon, black scales gleaming
grant me the knowledge of hate
and curse my name
i see the smoke of their temples burning
i hear the voices of a hissing choir
i smell the scent of smoldering flesh
i feel the earth fill in my grave
tragedy strikes the shepherd's flock
"save me, father" the children wail
the serpents coil around their bones
to triumph where the martyrs failed