Black Pearls For the Taking

Of course, I took them who wouldn't. A cluster of black pearls... for free. Salted-sun sweetened. To be chained forever to my timepiece. Keep them quiet cut their tongues. Sew strange letters to their bloodied mouths. Those aren't tears, those are pearls of gratitude. For being saved from themselves... and those stone tongues still speak. Stab out their hearts and eyes. Show them the mercy of our god. Hang the past upon a midnight cross. That scratched out eye still sees. Slash and skin them alive. Rake a cotton shirt over their scars. Put their hides and heads upon the wall. and their smiles are always free. Yeah, I took them. Stuffed those black pearls into the pocket of a privileged future... They were beautiful and free. and nobody passes up free. Those burned-out drums, still beat.