Ophidian

In my old bed I felt safe

For a while. The reptiles could hiss,

Grate their scales, but could never approach.

One nigh, befriending one of the lizard-headed ones

He told me strange tales

Of merchants unknown in nameless lands

Nomads roaming endless sands

Lives ended by his bare, bloodied hands.

          He was quieter now,

          He assured me,

          Eyes

          Glowing red

          In the shadows of his cowl.

Spell I

And would write to you fire

that you would warm yourselves

before, that you would laze

in synchrony, that you would gaze

upon. Would take you all

from under heels of gods and place

you by this hearth this breath

of thine so huddled here you might

hold your offspring caring

in arms no longer tremulous.

(the fullest point of falling)

Waterdrop.  Millstone.

With these parents

What dread

Off spring?

(the stone unfashioned)

stone mouthed stumbling silently

striving not to swallow however

harsh the hunger hangs

as that silk-hung boulder

make no sound fearful the quivered tether

snap shut your mouth before it has spoke

this