Altar of Stone
A. W. Nutter
The lump grew larger in my throat
As I stared down the darkened path
The safety of home seemed remote
Was I going to feel the elders wrath
Two steps away from hell on earth
Tempted to flee into the unknown
Echoing screams haunted my birth
Emitting from the altar of stone
Wandering alone is a sinful violation
Never should have left the encampment
A blood sacrifice needed for atonement
To purge the sin from the congregation
Running steadily through the woods
Had the priests noticed my absence
Pulled from the path by men in hoods
Paralyzed by their sudden appearance
Clothing torn away by their rough hands
Secured to the stone, they ring the bell
Sheep following the religious commands
Mindless fanatics, under the priests spell
Eyes of the flock looking on in disgust
Sentence passed, I'll be disemboweled
The knife begins its downward thrust
As I cry out for mercy from the crowd
Blood sprays across my supine form
As the priests head falls to the ground
The executioner now dead and deformed
My legs and arms were quickly unbound
Harm this boy you will feel my blade
An innocent child, you'll leave him alone
Your King declares blood payment made
Removing my sins, saving me from the stone
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