the gallows of my mind
dripped long in wax, burning,
a hesitant blend of sweetly bitter
flavours melding,
the furnace of thoughts of bygone hours
lay straight and rested,
this parody of life I play, turbulent and blustery
like a wine the cellar man consumed,
the gallows of my mind
gently places the noose around me,
and with each footstep
your heart jumps and jolts,
will this be that one step
that one where the trap door opens,
or will this rope be severed
by a flaming crossbow bolt,